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PLEASANT VALLEY 



A HISTORY OF 



ELIZABETHTOWN, 



ESSEzx: coTJisra?"Y", 



osTE'VT" ^sroi?,i5:. 



BY 



QEORGE LEVI BROWN. 



ofyao^ 



POST AND GAZETTE PRINT. 
1905. 






I twotiooies rtetdvis: I! 

j OCT 19 iyUb| 



OOKY a^ 



Dedication* 

"No father's hand caressed me 
I knew no father's love, 
If when he died he blessed me 
'Tis only known above." 

My father died when I was less than four weeks old and I 
owe all that I am to the virtuous care of a mother. She is 
now in the 85th year of her age, sharing my earthly home 
with me, and having rendered invaluable assistance in the prep- 
aration of this work, it is indeed fitting that I should dedicate 
the result of these efforts to her. 




GEORGE LEVI BROWN. 



IX. 



PREFACE. 

In a work of the kind here undertaken it would be idle to 
pretend to originality. When the writer was a boy he played 
at the feet of Mrs. Mary Matthews, widow of Jacob Matthews, 
one of Elizabethtown's pioneer shoemakers. Mrs. Matthews, 
locally and familiarly known as "Grandmother Matthews," lived 
in the home of the writer for over a year, being at that time 
nearly 90 years of age. She had often ridden on horseback, 
with a baby in her arms, following a line of blazed trees from 
Northwest Bay to Pleasant Valley, and her account of the hard- 
ships and privations of pioneer days fell upon my ears at 
the formative period of my life. During my boyhood there were 
eight men living within the present limits of the town of 
Elizabeth town who had served as soldiers in the War of 1812, 
sis who had fought for the United States and two for King 
George III, but deserted before the Battle of Plattsburgh, 
eventually coming here to settle, making good American citi- 
zens. It was my good fortune to know all of these warriors, 
and to be on terms of intimacy with some of them — a case of 
growing up among "History Makers." Over twenty years ago I 
decided to write Pleasant Valley, A History of EHzabethtown. 
Gradually the material has been collected and arranged. The 
writing of the history of this town has been delayed too long, 
as all the earliest settlers are in their graves. A few of the chil- 
dren of the pioneers are yet living, at an advanced age, in town 



and its vicinity, who will please accept my grateful acknowledg- 
ments for facts which they have so kindly furnished. I have en- 
deavored to relate facts, as I understood them, without preju- 
dice or exaggeration, and have let no opportunity escape me 
of rescuing from oblivion those facts which makes up the his- 
tory of my native town — facts which must grow in interest and 
importance as time passes. 

I am especially indebted to the late Oliver Abel, Sr., and his 
sons, the late Leander Abel and the venerable Charles L. Abel, 
(the latter for 60 years a resident of Buffalo, N. Y.) to Richard 
L. Hand and his son, Augustas N. Hand, Harry Hale, the late 
Judge Byron Pond and his youngest son, Levi S. Pond, Wil- 
liam H. Roberts, Robert B. Dudley, W. Scott Brown, Judge 
Rowland C. Kellogg, John Drowne Nicholson, Henry Har- 
mon Noble, the late James W. Steele, Arthur E. Coonrod, 
Clarence Underwood, Solon B. Finney, Daniel Cady Jackson, 
William Wallace Jackson, Dr. Midas E. Bishop, the late Bain- 
bridge Bishop, Jerome T. Lobdell, Wallace W. Pierce, Alpheus 
A. Morse, Charles H, Noble, Dr. John G. Noble, the late 
Charles N. WilHams, Milo C. Perry, Byron Pond Turner, Mrs. 
Ann Eliza Miller, Mrs. S. W. Osgood, Mrs. Ellen Burbank, 
Miss Adeline Post, Mrs. William Richards, Miss Sarah L. 
Calkin, Miss Annette Rowe, Miss M. E. Perry, Mrs. E. H. 
Putnam, Miss Alice E. Abel, Mrs. Caroline Halstead Royce, 
and last but not least to those venerable sons of pioneers — 
Dr. R. J. Roscoe and Alonzo McD. Finney, to whose sugges- 
tions many essential features of this work owe their existence. 

I have had access to and freely used Watson's Pioneer His- 
tory of the Cham plain Valley, Watson's History of Essex 
County, Palmer's History of Lake Champlain, Bessboro, A 
History of Westport, by Mrs. Caroline Halstead Royce, a copy 
of The Reveille, published at "Elizabethtown, Essex County, 



N. Y. Wednesday, October, 12, 1814," the files of the Essex 
County Times published at Elizabethtown in 1833 and 1834, 
and the files of the Elizabethtown Post and Gazette, Spafi'ord's 
Gazetteer of the State of New York, printed and published by 
H. C. South wick, Albany, N. Y., 1813, a Gazetteer of the State 
of New York by J. H. French, LL. D., issued in 1860, Military 
Papers of Daniel D. Tompkins, the Bound Volumes of the 
Council of Appointment, the book of original field notes of 
Captain Piatt Rogers (1789) and the original field notes and 
Map of the Great Northern Turnpike, the Journal kept by Milo 
Calkin and a chance to peruse private papers too numerous to 
mention. Town and county records have been searched faith- 
fully and much valuable material gleaned therefrom. For the 
patience and forbearance exercised by friends and acquaint- 
ances I am grateful. I feel that biography is truly the "home 
aspect of history" and that such illustrations as are herein 
contained are helpful to a more adequate realization of the 
times and events recorded. I am conscious of inability to 
perform a perfect work, and would therefore humbly subscribe 
myself. 

GEORGE LEVI BROWN. 
Elizabethtown, New York, 1905. 



Xit. 



(From the E*town Post of Oct. 17, 1 85 1.) 

LAY OF OUR ANCIENT VALLEY. 

After Macaulay. 

My tale is of a battle, 

Gods gfive it worthy rhyme ! 

That fell out in this valley 

All in the olden time: 

Then the sta»s coursed gaily 

Along our valley's sides; 

The plow had made no furrow then, 

In their track no hunter hides. 

Tall waved the pine trees 

On tbe dark mountain side, 

On Boquet's glittering sheen below 

Tbe dead leaves smoothly ride; 

For 'twas past the prime of summer, 

The woods were red and gold, 

The leaves twirl'd round with rustling sound 

As fast the year grew old. 

Hither came bold Rogers, 

As who, none was so bold, 

With a small band of heroes 

All brave men of old; 

Chased by the yelling Indians, 

From Keene, in haste he comes. 

He hurries towards the Lake Champlaiu, 

For its shores bear smiling homes. 

Scarce had they reached the river. 
Which before them glassy glides 
(Noon's sun has stilled the leafy wilds 
The swift deer sought the shades) 
When from midst tbe whispering leaves 
A storm of flint heads flew, 



The forest run^ with red men's yells, 
Dread sounds for the sturdy few. 

Then out spake bold John Rog'ers 

"There are fearful odds, my men 

(When forest trees bear fruits like these) 

Against a band of ten, 

But by our children's mothers. 

Who wait us at our homes 

If we must pluck this stony fruit 

We'll give back good as comes." 

All grasp firm their rifles 

(Good aid for bloody work) 

And behind the knotty trunks around, 

In deathly silence lurk. 

For a moment from the river 

Comes a gentle gurgling sound, 

As the eddies in the current 

Wheel slowly round ana round. 

But soon, from out the thicket, 
With sly and stealthy tread. 
Came bands of tall dark warriors ; 
Fierce chiefs were at their head — 
Sharp, quickly crack ten rifles, 
From behind the trees around; 
E'en red men pale, as the leaden hail 
Makes ten chiefs bite the ground. 

Then forth like wild cats on them spring 
Brave Rogers and his men. 
Through teeth and skulls of Indians 
Each drives his clubbed gun: 
"See," cried Rogers, bold, "the welcome 
Hellhounds ! that waits you here, 
Well, from to-day, your tribe may say 
They've tasted white men's cheer." 

Fast through the forest, fled they 
With a wild and quavering whoopi 
Sad remnant of brave warriors. 
The Adirondacs' hope. 
With stouter heart brave Rogers 
Hastens towards the lake. 



XIV. 

His comrades shout ooe lusty cheer; 
The valley's echoes wake. 

Bright shone the autumn's sun, 

On our wild valley wide — 

On Boquet's glitterinj^ sheen below, 

The dead leaves smoothly ride: 

Soft run its gentle waters; 

While the sedges lowly sigh; 

And on its banks, with upturned face. 

Those dead men stilly lie. 

(The lines quoted were written by the late Samuel Hand of Eliz- 
abethtown when he was 18 years of age.) 




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WILLIAM GILLILAND, 
Essex County Pioneer. 



TRADITION REGARDING 
Robert Rogers' Visit to Pleasant Valley. 



Tradition asserts that Robert Rogers, the bold ranger, 
so famous for his exploits along Lake Champlain and at 
Lake George, including the act which is popularly supposed 
to have brought into historical existence "Rogers' Rock," once 
led his chosen baud as far into the interior of the Adiroudacks 
as the "Plains of Abraham," near where the Ray Brook House 
stands in the western part of the town of North Elba, and there 
attacked and destroyed an Indian village. Returning, he passed 
through the Valley now occupied by Elizabethtown village, 
where he was overtakan by the pursuing Indians and a battle 
ensued, in which many of the red men were slain. The chief 
corroboration of this tradition is that large numbers of Indian 
arrow-heads and uten"sils have been found on the east bank of 
the Boquet River, just below or north of the old"Camp Ground" 
where the battle is supposed to have taken place, and also 
the fact that many trees were found pierced with bullets by 
those who cleared that particular locality. However, if Rob- 
ert Rogers did visit the region afterwards so appropriately 
known as Pleasant Valley, he must have come here previous 
to the American Revolution, probably during the French and 
Indian War, as he did not take kindly to the cause of the Col- 
onists ; in fact while his former companions in arms, such as 



2 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Charles Lee, Israel Putnam, John Stark and Philip Schuyler, 
were doing their best to win independence for America, he, 
having turned his back on the country in the bosom of which 
he had won his great triumphs (the Cham plain Valley, be it 
lemembered, was the scene of his boldest exploits, many of 
which had been witnessed by tiie distinguished soldiers men- 
tioned above) was in England putting the finishing touches 
upon what is to-day known as "Kogers' Journal." Whether 
Robert Rogers or any other ranger of those early days did or 
did not visit this section, it is certain that the territory lying a 
few miles back from Lake Champlain — the highway of water 
which Samuel Champlain, the distinguished French navigator 
and explorer, first sighted on the evening of July 3, 1609, three 
months before Hudson sailed up the stream which to-day 
bears his name — escaped to a large extent the ravages of the 
Indians in their wars and the no less destructive campaigns of 
the French and English contest and the Revolutionary strug- 
gle. 



William Gilliland's Settlement Near the Mouth of the Boquet River. 

When the peace of 1762 had been ratified by the cession of 
Canada to Great Britain, Lake Champlain quieted down tem- 
porarily, so to speak. A royal proclamation of Oct. 7th, 1763, 
authorized the Colonial Governors to issue grants of land 
upon the borders of Lake Champlain to the reduced officers 
and soldiers who had served in the Canadian campaign. The 
next year after the royal proclamation, 1764, William Gilliland, 
who was born near Armagh, Ireland, and was then a New York 
merchant, decided to make extensive purchases on the western 
shore of Lake Champlain. February 8, 1759, Gilliland had 
married Elizabeth Phagan, the beautiful and accomplished 
daughter of his wealth}^ New York business partner, receiving 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETtlTOWN 3 

as her dowry fifteen hundred pounds, which was considered a 
large sum in the Colony at that time. The brilliant mercan- 
tile success which had rewarded the intelligence and enterprise 
of Gilliland did not satisfy his ambition. The recollection of 
the magnificent baronial estates of his native land and the ob- 
servation of the vast manors of the southern section of New 
York, enkindled in his mind the purpose of securing to him- 
self the possession of wide domains in the wilds of America. 
He decided to place his first location between the Boquet 
River^ and Split Rock, then, to use his own language, "a howl- 
ing v^'ilderness, more than one huiulred miles removed from 
au}^ Christian settlement, except the military posts of Ticon- 
deroga and Crown Point." 

Wm. Giililaud's earliest purchase was from a Dr. Joseph 

I Reg-arding- the origin of the name of this river, The Elizabethtown Post & Gazette of 
December 13, 1900, contained the following: 

ORIGIN OFTHENAME. 

Dr. Franklin B. Hough in the Gazetteer of the State of New York, page 296,edition of i860, 
states that the name is "Probably from the French baquet, a trough," and that "the name 
appears on French maps previous to his (Bouquet's) residence in the country," Watson in 
his "Pioneer History of the Cham plain Valley," page 96, makes a similar statement. 

The contention of these two eminent authorities would appear to be well founded, as there 
is in the State Library at Albany, in New York Colonial Mss., Vol. XCVIll at page 24, a 
French map of Lake Champlain from Fort Chambly to Fort Fiederick, surveyed by Mr. 
Anger, King's surveyor in 1732 and made at Quebec in 1748, on which map it is denoted asR. 
Boquette. Also in documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New York 
IX opposite pagei022 a copy of a French map of Lake Champlain and environs procured by 
JohnRomeyn Brodhead from theArchives of the Marine in Paris in 1843 of date 1731 in which 
it is denominated R. Bauquette. 

As it does not appear that Col. Henry Bouquet of the Royal Americans was ever in this 
country prior to 1755 or 6 and as it is conjectural as to whether he ever visited the Champlain 
Valley, tiiis would appear to effectually dispose of the theory advanced by some writers that 
the river was named for him. 

The French term "baquet," a trough, is peculiarly descriptive of that part of the river be- 
tween Willsborough Falls and Lake Champlain, that portion of the stream which the early 
French explorers would have seen in passing along the lake and from which appearance 
they would naturally name it. 

Inasmuch as the river in question is the largest stream wholly within Essex County and as 
there has been much speculation concerning the origin of the name, we believe that our 
readers as a whole will be glad to know that the weight of evidence seems to be in favor of 
the derivation from the French "baquet," as stated by Hough and Watson. 



4 PIISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Field of 2,000 acres, for which he paid £100. Subsequently 
he made eleven other purchases. The late Oscar F. Sheldon 
of Willsboro said : "These purchases were made in 1764 and 
granted and surveyed the following year." Gillilaud's Jour- 
nal says : 

"1765, May 10th. This day I embarked at New York for 
Albany, having the following persons in company to settle 
that tract of land, viz : 

The Rev. George Henry, minister. 

1 John Chislm, millwright, to work 4 shillings per day and 
found. 

2 Robert Maclane, millwright, to work 5 pounds per mo. 
and found. 

3 George Melson, carpenter, to work 3 pounds 12 per mo. 
and found. 

4 John Mattoon, clerk, at 25 pounds per anu. and found. 

5 James Storkner, weaver, at 40 shillings per mo. if wanted. 

6 Robert McAuley, weaver, at 40 shillings per mo. if wanted. 

7 John McAuley, w^eaver, at 40 shilUings per mo. if wanted. 

8 George Belton, weaver, at 40 shillings per mo. if wanted. 

9 Mrs. Belton, wife of foregoing of same name. 

10 Mrs. Chislm, wife to the foregoing of same name. 

11 Catherine Shepherd, hired to keep house. 

12 Mary Craig, indentured for four years. 
May 13th arrived at Albany, all well." 

Wages were to commence "payable to the whole after the 
arrival at Willsborough." 

They came through Lake George and arrived at Ticonde- 
roga landing June 1st, where they secured some lumber from 
mills erected during French occupation. 

June 8th, arrived at mouth of Boquet River, having occu- 
pied in their journey 30 days of arduous and incessant labor. 
After a brief rest they proceeded up the river to the falls and 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 5 

there formed their encaraptneut upon an island, which from 
the circumstances, still bears the name of Camp Island. 

With promptness and energy operations were at once com- 
menced. By June 15th a road had been opened to the falls, 
ground had been cleared, timber prepared and a house 44 feet 
by 22 partly erected. This edifice was the first dwelling 
known to have been built by civilized man on the western shore 
of Lake Champlain between Crown Point and Canada. Gilli- 
land's cattle had been driven to Crown Point and there made 
to swim the narrow passage. Proceeding to a point opposite 
Split Rock, they were ferried over and thence driven through 
the woods to Gilliland's settlement. A part of them were con- 
fined and fed upon the leaves of trees but most of them were 
turned loose to the unlimited range of the forest. 

Timber was prepared for a saw-mill, which was erected in 
the autumn at the lower part of the falls, the first of the many 
that have been operated along the beautiful Boquet River. 
This pioneer mill was supplied with power by a wing dam, 
which was projected into the current, turning the water into a 
fiume that conducted it to the desired point. 

Game was abundant ; the most delicious salmon thronged 
the river. The beaver meadows yielded them sufiicent hay for 
the approaching winter. Meanwhile, as these efforts were 
in progress, Mr. Gilliland had visited Quebec and returned, 
bringing all the other necessaries to secure the comfort of his 
people through the winter months. 

On his trip to Quebec he had examined the western shore 
of Lake Champlain between the Boquet River and the Cana- 
dian line with a vigilant eye. He ascended navigable streams, 
sounded their depths and explored their banks. Twelve grants 
had now been located by Mr. Gilliland. Eight of these were 
situated in the present towns of Willsboro and Essex ; two in 
what is now the town of Westport and two at Salmon River, 



6 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

now in Cliuton County. A tier of lots, intended for farms, was 
surveyed and numbered in this year (1765), ranging along tbe 
shore of the lake from the Boquet to Judd's patent. Many of 
these lots were immediately selected h}- settlers but were not, 
on account of the advanced season, occupied till the succeed- 
ing spring. The settlement at Willsboro Falls was named 
Milltown. In November Mr. Gilliland left it, with his other 
interests along Lake Champlain, in charge of a kinsman, whom 
he dignified with the title of Steward. He passed the winter 
in New York engaged in preparations for the removal of his 
family to his new estate on the western shore of Lake Cham- 
plain. 

The first winter of these pioneers in the wilds of northern 
New York was passed without suffering or remarkable inci- 
dent. The cattle were recovered in the autumn with great 
difficulty, being very wild. The time of the men was occupied 
attending the cattle, cutting and hauling saw logs to the mill 
and in the preparation of timber for the construction of their 
buildings. In January, 1766, their hay was drawn upon the 
ice from a beaver meadow, near what is now known as Whal- 
lon's Bay, to Milltown. 

April 14th, 1766, a house was erected for Robert McAuley. 
Others rapidly followed, "until the whole space between the 
Boquet and Split Rock was studded with the neat cabins of 
the settlers." 

In June, 1766, Mr. Gilliland returned to Willsboro with his 
family, bearing supplies for another ye-dr. His journey had 
been difficult and disastrous. In passing the rapids of the Hud- 
son River, near Stillwater, one of the bateaux capsized, pre- 
cipitating part of his family into the water. One of his 
daughters was lost. They resumed their journey in fearful 
forebodings. Worn with grief and toil they finally arrived at 
their wilderness home on the banks of the Boquet. 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 7 

The return of the proprietor infused a fresh spirit and im- 
parted a vigorous impulse to the little commonwealth. A 
smithery had been erected. Various seeds had been sown to 
supply vegetables. The government, political as well as moral, 
of the community was in the exclusive guidance and control of 
the proprietor. Its administration was eminently patriarchal. 
The appointment of Justice of the Peace, which had been con- 
ferred on Mr. Gillilaud, in his primitive jurisdiction, endowed 
him with a plentitude of powers, embracing all functions of 
counsellor, Judge, etc. The ample limits of Albany County at 
that period embraced the whole region of Northern New York. 

In the winter of 1767 the first horse introduced into the set- 
tlement was brought over the ice from Canada for Mr. Gilliland. 

Schools were established and the colony gradually enlarged. 

In 1770 Edward Raymond, one of Gilliland's colonists, set- 
tled on the patent of Bessboro, at the mouth of the stream now 
called Raymond Brook, within the limits of the present town 
of Y/estport, building a saw-mill and a grist-mill upon the fall, 
which, according to the affidavit of one Udny Hay, was "on 
the west side of Lake Champlain, about eight miles north of 
Crown Point and about three miles south of Great West Bay." 
Raymond lived in that charming spot about six years and is 
said to have been driven from his secluded home by In- 
dians shortly after the breaking out of the American Revolu- 
tion. 

Albany County was divided in 1772, the northern section, 
embracing both sides of Lake Champlain, being organized into 
a new county, which received the name of Charlotte, after a 
daughter of Mr. Gilliland. 

In 1775, it is said, Mr. Gilliland was figuring with Major 
Skeene of Skeensboro (now Whitehall) to erect a large prov- 
ince, to extend from the St. Lawrence to the Connecticut, 
resting at the north on the Canadian line and with an unde- 



8 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

lined line at the south. Major Skeene was to receive the ap- 
pointment of Governor and Crown Point was to be constituted 
the capital. However, a blow struck within the limits oi 
Essex County (at Ticonderoga, May 10, 1775) vibrated through- 
out the colonies, was felt within the palace walls of St. James 
and forever dissipated the erstwhile scheme of Skeene and Gil- 
liland. 

Ethan Allen's capture of Fort Ticonderoga was followed by 
the surrender of Crown Point. 

A proclamation was issued by the Governor of Canada in 
June following the surrender of the Champlain fortresses, 
offering a reward of $500 for the arrest and rendition of Gilli- 
laud to the government. The allurements of this reward 
overcame the patriotism and fidelity of some of his tenants, who 
engaged in unsuccessful attempts to seize and convey him to 
Canada. Abortive attempts were made to seduce his house- 
hold servants into schemes for his betrayal. Moreover a sheriff 
of Tryon County penetrated into the settlement "with four 
tories and three savages" bat witiiout avail. Gilliland not only 
escaped capture himself but succeeded in capturing "the whole 
party with all their arms and sent them prisoners to Crown 
Point." 

This was, however, the beginning of the end so far as the 
sturdy pioneer's peace of mind and happiness were concerned. 
He withdrew with his family to the vicinity of Crown Point. 
Many families embraced Carleton's offers of amnesty, joined 
the British forces and in some cases adopted the interests of 
England. Strange and unexpected trials gathered about the 
path of Gilliland, accumulating additional cares and anxieties. 
His patriotism had been the most zealous ; he had organized 
a company and rendered efficient services. Nevertheless jeal- 
ousies arose. Formal charges were preferred against him in 
July. Again when Benedict Arnold was cruising on Lake 




DR. ASA POST; 

Pleasant Valley's Pioneer Physician. 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 10 

Cham plain the soldiers and sailors attached to the fleet were 
permitted to laud at the plantations of Gilliland, commit 
destructive ravages upon his crops and the crops and property 
of his tenants. September 1st he addressed a letter to Arnold 
which was clothed with the most courteous and respectful 
language, submitting a statement as to property destroyed, 
etc. Arnold did not reply. GilHland, impetuous and resolute 
and revolting at injustice, appealed to General Gates. The 
letter was then communicated to General Washington, accom- 
panied with charges by Arnold against Gilliland of disloyalty 
and fraud upon the government. Gilliland presented a memo- 
rial to Congress, alleging "Arnold sent a party of soldiers to 
tear your memorialist from his property." Arnold was at the 
zenith of his fame and influence when Gilliland wrote in that 
same memorial : "If temerity, if rashness, imprudence, and 
error can recommend him to you, he is allowed to be amply 
supplied with these qualities and many people think they 
ought to recommend him in a peculiar manner to Lord North, 
who, in gratitude for his having done more injury to the Amer- 
oan cause than all the ministerial troops have the power of 
doing, ought to reward him with a generous pension." With 
what a fearless and unfaltering hand Gilliland delineated the 
character of Arnold and what a spirit of prophecy was wrapped 
in the eloquence and vehemence of his language. 

Sir John Burgoync's Operations Near the Mouth of the Boqtjct River and 
His Surrender at Saratoga, 

June 21, 1777, Sir John Burgoyue and his proud English 
arm}^ landed at the mouth of the Boquet River and for a week 
a portion of what is now Willsboro was overspread with the 
tents of his soldiery. Here Burgoyne held a great council of 
war with the Indian allies of Great Britain and here he issued 
the proclamation which was called "the Boquet order," ad- 



n ' HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

dressed to the rebellious colonists, offering "peace and pardon 
to all \vlio would return to their allegiance to the King and 
threatening all others with every terror of Indian warfare." 

Sir John Burgojne's performance upon the banks of the 
Boquet, when it became known in England, was denounced in 
the thunders of Chatham's eloquence and the religious and 
moral sentiment of the Christian world revolted at the act. It 
was indeed a fatal blunder, as no measure in the policy of 
England tended so effectually to harmonize the popular pas- 
sions of America and it directly precipitated the armed and 
infuriated yeomanry of New England upon the entrenchments 
at Saratoga, where Burgoyue surrendered October 17, 1777, 
(5,790 men) to General Gates, at which time General Clinton 
and his army were at Esopus, within 50 miles of Burgoyne's 
camp. The news of this surrender was followed, in February, 
1778, by France acknowledging the Independent United States 
of America. 

Settlement at Barber's Point. 

The Peace of 1783 was followed by further settlement and 
development of theChamplain Valley and contiguous territory. 
Many men left their New England homes and plunged into the 
wilderness as their fathers had done before them. In the 
spring or summer of 1785 Major Hezekiah Barber, from Har- 
rington, Litchfield County, Conn., came across Lake Champlain 
from the Vermont shore and began to clear land at what is 
now known as Barber's Point' in the town of Westport until 
winter came on, when he went back to Connecticut. The next 
year he returned with his wife's brother, Levi Frisbie, and they 
worked together, cutting wood all winter, living in a bark 

• I Inasmuch as the territory now comprising the town of We-itport was not 
set off from Elizabethtown until the spring of iSiJ, events connected with Barber's Point 
and North West Bay will be treated in this volume up to the time of the division. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETBTOWN 12 

shauty, &c. In the spring of 1787 the yonng wife of Major 
Hezekiah Barber, whose maiden name had been HuldahFrisbie, 
came all that long journey from Connecticut on horseback, car- 
rying her first baby in her arms, settling in a rude log house 
which had been prepared for her coming. The household 
goods were drawn to Barber's Point by oxen. This family 
ground their own corn in an "Indian mortar" found near bj'. 

William Gilliland^s Pecuniary Embarrassment, 

At the time Major Hezekiah Barber settled upon the west- 
ern shore of Lake Champlain William Gilliland was deeply 
embarrassed in bis pecuniary affairs. The acquisition of an 
estate of 30,000 acres upon the borders of Lake Champlain, 
with the disbursements incident to its improvement, had used 
up his means. Abandoning his long cherished purpose of 
erecting his property into a manorial estate, he decided to sell 
his lands in fee. The first purchasers of land from Gilliland 
in what is now the town of Willsboro were Joseph Sheldon 
and Abraham Aiken from Dutchess County, N. Y., who went 
into occupation of their lots just before Major Hezekiah Bar- 
ber brought into being Barber's Point. Fourteen other fami- 
lies soon came into Willsboro after Sheldon and Aiken. 

Meanwhile other embarrassments gathered around to darken 
and hasten the decay of the fortunes of Mr. Gilliland. There 
was more or less confusion as to land titles. Litigation ensued. 
Antagonistic titles were sustained. Costs and heavy expenses 
followed, which absorbed the remnant of his property and led 
to his imprisonment upon the jail limits of New York, under 
the very shadow of the scenes of his former business triumphs. 
What a galling experience it must have been for the proud, 
impetuous pioneer settler of the Champlain Valley — the irony 
of fate indeed. 



13 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

Tappan's Line. 

At the time when William Gilliland's troubles were bearinp; 
him down so heavily a man named Charles Tappan struck in 
at Pike Creek, which flows through the present village of 
Westport, and ran a line westerl}^ into the Adiroudacks. He 
began "at a Red cedar stake and stones in the N. West Bay 
standing on the N. side of the Pike Creek, 66 links on a course 
of N. 8 degrees, 15 minutes E. of a white ash tree marked on 
the south side Z. P. 1786. S. 89 degrees, 15 minutes west 111 
chains Piatt's line to a stake and stones 8 links South of a 
small iron wood tree marked Z. P. north of 1786. Beech tree 
marked C. T. run thence, 17»7, South 89 degrees, 15 minutes 
W. At 800 ch. timber is birch & maple & on the mountain to 
a beech tree marked mile 10 on the E. side & on the north side 
C. T. 1787. 

Several other small trees blazed around it. This course 
ends here and runs north. 

S. W. cor. of Tp. 12, O. M. T. is spruce tree marked 7, then 
N. 89 degrees E. 880 chs. to a fir stake." 

At 594 chs. from Westport by this westerly line is the 
Boquet Eiver. Tappan's Line,i so-called by old surveyors, 
passed by Little Pond and down the long sloping hillside to 
the Boquet River at a point near the mouth of the Little Pond 
Brook and so on past where the Post school house now 
stands and thence up over the mountains just north of Giant 
of the Valley where a vista, in fact two of them, may be 
seen to-day. 

ITappan's Line, so-called, was "re-run" by Wm. H. Case, then of Port Henry, when the 
writer was a bo '. M.my readers of this note will recall that a larg-e white "si ;nal" stood a 
frjw rods eist of the Post school house a quarter of a century aaro, ihe "sii^nal" hivinjf lieea 
erected by Verplan.k Colvin, Sunerintemtent of the ^Adirondack Survey. The sirveyor's 
vistas in the timber north of Giant of the Valley, which are still visible from thu old 
Stite Road at a point near the Post scaool house in the Boqiet Valley, were cut there by 
Mr. Colvin's direction, D. Dunning of New Russia having helped do the work. The notes 
quoted above retf-irding the starting- and the course of Tappan's Line were taken Irom 
'■Field Notes of Pappan's Line" as copied by James W. Stee.e. 



HISTORY OP ELIZABETHTOWN 14 

Formation of Clinton County. 

Clioton County was formed from Washington, (known as 
Charlotte County from March 12, 1772, to April 2, 1784, at 
which latter time the ntme was changed) March 7, 1788, 
being named in honor of George Clinton, then Governor of the 
State of New York. When organized Clinton County em- 
braced all the land on both sides of Lake Champlain, as then 
claimed by the State of New York. The claim east of Lake 
Champlain was abandoned upon the recognition of Vermont 
as an indeiDendent State,^ in 1791. 

Captain Piatt Rogers Surveying Experiences as Recorded in His Original 
Book of Field Notes. 

Following are extracts from the original book of field notes 
taken by Captain Piatt Rogers' surveying party during 
the summer of 1789. These are the first extracts from Piatt 
Rogers' original book of field notes ever given in any historical 
work and the writer thanks James W. Steele for the loan of 
the unique little volume, the pages of which are really yellow 
ivith age. The first page is dated Plattsburgh, June 18, 1789. 

"June 19, began at a stake marked on the E.<feS. sides stand- 
ing by a butnut stump in the south line of Charles Piatt's land." 
Busy surveying till July 4, 1789. Writing July 4, 1789, said 
"Rained the night past and the forenoon. Afternoon sat out 
and began" surveying again — Rainy, "put up and built a hut." 
"5 rained till 10 o'clock and then sat out and continued our 
course." 

July 6 after doing some surveying speaks as follows : "Took 
our things and returned to the Lake at Esq. McCauley's,where 
we tarried till the 13, then set out for Lake George, log'd at 
betsburgh. 

IGazetteer of the State of New York by ). H. French, page 232. 



15 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

14, Proceeded to Tyconderogue. 

15, Had onr Battoo hall'd acrosst and went up Lake George 
about 8 miles. 

16, Sat out in order to mark a road to the Screwn (Sehroon) 
Lake, to which Lake we arrived the 20 (norniuGj. The Ma- 
jority of the land (on the way) is raountaiuous, hilly, rocky and 
rough, altho some good valleys and small intervale. 

A hirge quantity of very fine Maple, also all kinds of timber 
that's common in this Country. 

The day we arrived at said Lake we Divided in two Partys 
to explore and see where a road may be made on the E. side 
of sd Lake. The north party reports rough & mountainous 
and difficult making a road ; to the south we saw Considerable 
middling good land, though some mountains & some poor 
rocky land. 

21. Sat out in or<ler to search the west side, went round 
the north end — then west 3 or 4 miles — on a high mountain 
we espied a large quantity of water west, to which we went, 
which appears to be much larger than the other and this we 
suppose truly to be the Screwn Lake, then north till night and 
encamped. 

22. Parted in order to search the laud North &, South. I 
and one more went North, mostly rough land — but some mid- 
dling good — to the North end of the Lake in which comes a 
large river, which has inlets of two small river a little up ; 
about the mouth of said river is much sunken, mashy Land. 
We proceeded up s'd river N. northwest <ni which we found a 
quantity of level intervail, from thence Northwest to a s'all 
lake extending Northeast 3 or 4 miles in Sight. 

Tlience Southeast, South & Southwest crosst several small 
rivers. Some good land, some stony and mountains on the 
way back to the place from whence we sat out where we ar- 
rived safe. 



HISTORY OP ELIZA BETHTOWN 16 

25. Sat out to search & be»in to mark road where it can 
jest be made — Went East till we supposed the best Place, 
3egau at mill crick marked Northerly 3 or 4 miles, found tol- 
erable pjoing — returned to our shanty. 

26. Began to survey a tract of Land Lying on the east Side 
)f Scroon Lake neer the middle at the mouth of a small river 
svhich is called mill Crick — began at an elm tree standing on 
:he South Bank of sd Crick about 20 links W. of Smal brook 
^^hich Empties into the crick and 9 chs below the falls in sd 
3rick. Which tree Is mt No. 1 on S. E. Thence runing Serly 
ilong the Lake as follows first course 

chs links 
Is S 56 W 12—50 
S 53 w 5—74 
S 79 W 5—45 
S 73-30 W 8—55 
S60 W 2—75 
S 34-30 W 4—08 
S 40 W 5—75 
S34 W 8-00 
Then follows more description, ending "Intervail and river, 
runs S W to the river, runing N W down neer the river to the 
place of begining, Containing 200 Acres. 

The 27th the party began the survey of Lot No. 2, containing 
200 Acres. 

The 28th "Sat out to go down the Lake to explore and search 
[or Land (Where I understood was good Land) And spent 
most of the day, run some immaginary lines but found none 
Evorthy of notis — in a situation to Inclose — 'returned back and 
tun one of the lines of lot no. 2 which was not before run. 
29. Went to the east of No. 1 & 2 to make Inspection. 
July 30th. We are now at the Scroon Lake, our Captain 
being gone to Lake George Landing on business and after pro- 



17 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

visions; be returned to us this morning and has brought pro- 
vision to N. W. bay — and we are now all to return after sd 
provision. We Sat out after breakfast in order to obtain the 
place before we took any refreshment of vituals, But by 
reason of the Lands being Mountaineous, roagii and swampy 
we got some out of our way but traveled till 9 o'clock at night 
where we found a hut in which we lodged Which proved a 
rainy night — next morning we proceeded on about a mile to the 
jjrovision (the whole distance is 20 miles or more) where we 
built a hut, dried ourselves and took breakfast and was then 
C(mfined by rain till August 5 in which time of detainment we 
Caught 2 rattle Snakes, middling large, which is the only ones 
we saw this seasou. 

August 5. Capt Rogers returns to the Landing by water, 
being much unwell while here. We the rest now Set out for 
Scroon Lake where we arived at Evening much wearied and 
some left their packs behind — the majority of the Land on this 
rout (which is a little S of where we went out) is midling with 
diii'erent kinds of timber, some white oak and cliesuut. 

6lh. Went back and fetched on their pack?. 

Then went out and began at a beach at the S W corner of 
Lot No. 3. thence runing 8 along the East line of Lot No. 1 to 
the S E Corner of sd Lot Continuing S — from the place of 
beginning. 

chs links 
S 44 — 73 Land much alike, midling good and high — beach 

and maple timber to a beach stake mt No 4 N E, 
E 25 Midling good Land. Decends E - beach and maple 

11 timber, black ash and some sedar — 

8 — 73 Swampy land, midling land- -stony, beech & hem- 
lock timber to the corner mt a hemlock tree No. 4 
on N W side under the W side of a mountain. 




DR. ALEXANDER MORSE, 
First Physician to Locate in Elizabcthtown Village. 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 20 

ThenN40clis. Generally rocky and rough — hemlock and some 

beach being on the W side of a high Mountain neer 

the bottom. 
4.73 Good Laud, maple & beach to the S line of No. 3 

mt a hemlock tree No. 4 on S W side. 

Then W along the S line of No 3 to the place of 

beginning, Containing 200 Acres. 
August 7 — Proceeded up to the N end of the Lake, went up 
the main river about 2 miles and Eucampt. Left Some to build 
a hut while we went out to explore and Search up the Small 
rivers N E (which is mashy) for the road to Cross(which is tol- 
lerable) and also to see where to begin a line to survey a tract 
of Land hereway S) Went out and Sought again and began at 
a Spruce tree mt 1789 and ran W which tree stands 20 chs east 
of the small mashy river where it empties into the great river. 
Crosst the great river & mouth of the little mashy river. * * 

10. being very wet and no wind to dry, thought best for 
the hands to go up the river (as we are about to move our things 
to be convenient) by a small river but finding the Distance so 
much farther by water than expected and with some difficulty 
they returned not till near night. We lodged at the same 
place. 

11. A thunder Shower in the morning. Cleared off toward 
noon, then went and began on the line we left and run W 
31 chs (Land midl, timber) to a brook, some part Alder, 
white maple, some black ash & seder. Seder Swamp, to the 
corner Mt a beach saplin 1789. 

12. Thence N to a small brook, upon E side Mountain and 
down to a small brook, mostly rough, mt a burch tree 1789, 
thence N, the land bad and began to rain, we returned to our 
camp, 

13. Went to the S E & began at the place of begining and 
run N 11 chs to a small brook to the E branch, run S W. 



21 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Some swampy laod. Generally pjood Eutervail to the corner 
Mt a hemlock 1789, crosst the pond or upper Lake river, 1 ch 
cross & 5 S of the corner tree, river runs S W. 

Eutervail t ) the great river ruuinir S 2 ch wide to sd river 
luning N E just crosst on the N Side and to the same side 
again which above comes from N W crosst sd bend to a small 
brook to the corner mt a beach tree 1789 & No 12 to a small 
river runs SE & lodged. 

14. Continued S to a corner mt a burch tree 1789 & E on 
S W— g S E & 12 N E. 

Thence west, stony uphill to the west Hue to a stake and 
stones mt 1789 N, E. returned back to the burch tree & run E. 
to the river ruuiug S 70 W. 

eutervail to sd river runing N. 30 w which we crost & run E. 

eutervail to sd river gain runing S 15 E to the river runing 
N to W crost a point 2 chs, then crost the river runing S W. 
began to rain, went to the camp. Continued E to the E line 
Generally good, some swamps and pond holes. Mt a beach 
tree 1789 & N 10 S W & 11 N W. 

Thence to the S E corner of Lot No 10 and run w. Good, 
some mashy places, to the river, crost a bend where we struc 
it. run S where we left it. 

N 54 E to the river runing S 80 W. Then swampy, 6 or 8. 
Then rising to the W line, good Land, beach, maple and hem- 
lock Mt a beech tree 7 on S. E. & 8 N. E. 

Then to the N. E. corne of Lot No. 8 & run S — first lot 
good — upland beach, hemlock & maple mt a beech tree. Lots 
No 6 on S E. 7 S W, 8 N W & 9 N E. Continued S midliug 
good neer to the S line, then Sedar and ash swamp to the line 
Mt a stake 6 & 7— at dark, then returned to the camp. 

16 Next morning weut up the river in order to run 
the other division line but before we got to the place it began 
to rain and proved a severe rainy day. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 22 

17 Being- very wet we took the Caaoo and went down to 
the Lake to try for some fish, where we caught above 2 hundred, 
mostly s'allish parch but the Largest measured in length 2 
foot, 2 inches & ^ and 1 foot 2 inches ^ round. We returned 
and went to the N W corner of Lot No II and run S middling 
Land, crost a small river toward the S side of the first lot, first 
S E. Soon crost it again, runing S W. not far from the river 
runing N 10 W in which we crost the Line, the corner being 
in the river 30 lin E of the W bank where we mt a balsam. 

■X- * -X- * * * * * 

September 14, 1789, one finds by a careful perusal of the 
original book of field notes, is the date that the Captain Piatt 
Rogers party "Sat out to explore and see what quantity of laud 
may be laid out between this (Lot 35) and boquete falls. Also 
search for the best route for the road and fetch on provisions 
from sd falls sufiicient to serve the surveying and road par- 
ties — returned the 15 at night, one hand with me and the rest 
goes back to help the road party. 

We found not mutch land to survey and by reason Mount- 
ains, rocks and swamps the road will be attended with diffi- 
culty." 

It is probable that no work was done September 15, 1789, as 
no notes appear in the original book of field notes for that day. 

However, "September 16 began at the N. W. corner of lot 
No. 35 mt sd beach 36 on N E and run North N 44-73— Con- 
tinued on the Mountain and rocks to the end 1, 2 & 3 chs from 
the foot where is good land. At the end mt a hemlock tree 36 
on S E stands 1 up the mountain, then E. 

E. 44 — 73 11 good low land, maple, heml., beach, then up 

the W. side of a hill, some rocky ridges & some 

good Land, maple, beach and hemlock to the end 

mt a burch tree No. 36 on S. W. 

S 44—73 At 8 a brook 20 wide S E. Then South 25 over 



23 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

and down the hill h s b m hif^h and some rocks. 
19 — 73 middling good — maple, beach & heinl to the 
N. E. corner of No. 35 to the sd maple saplin which 
is now mt 36 on N W. 

At 42 crost a bend in Scroon river 35 wide where 
it comes from N E and runs to S E. 
The 17 took all our bagage (except provision for the road 
party) and Sat out to move to boquete falls and to search and 
make a sightly mark in the best place we can find for the road, 
which we Acomplished the 18 in the afternoon — and went 
down the river to search for Land to survey which we soon 
found. 

19tli Began at a white ash tree standing on a small island 
at the river boquete 30 chs below the upper point of the inter- 
vail and a hill comes down to the river with rocks at the bank, 
where there is a maple tree mt P II 1789 & 30 chs and a burch 
tree mt W K 1789 & 30 chs. 

From the ash tree run North 
N 44 — 73 to a maple saplin mt No 1 on S E S. intervail 

Then mostly hills and hollers. Some clifts of 
rocks — the N W corner tree is 3 links N. of a high 
clift, rock at 2, cross part of the river, 25 wide, 
runs N W. 4 cross the river boquete 40 wide, 
runs N E. 
E 44 — 73 35 Generally hilly and some rocks on the south 
side of a mountain, then levil, good intervail, beach 
& maple mt a maple saplin No 1 on S. W. 
S 44 — 73 15- levil, good intervail, maple, beach, &c, then on 
the W side of a rocky hill. Maple, hemlock, beach, 
spruce, to the corner mt a hemlock tree at No 1 
on N W. Then West 6—50. the river runs N E. 
W 44 — 73 to the sd ash tree mt No 1 on N E place of begin — 
35 on the N side of a mountain, some rocks. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 24 

Then intervail to the corner at 43 — a part of the 
river running N. 
20 — Sat out for another Lot. Went and began but met 

Capt Rogers with several hands and wanting some 
change of hands returned back to the falls. After 
regulation we took our things and moved down 
the river about 2.^ miles and built a hut.^ 
21 of September. 

Then proceeded back and began on the E line, the 
N E corner of lot No 1 at a maple tree mt No 2 
E 41 — 00 on N E. Then East to a spruce saplin mt No 2 on 
N W 11- — levil, good land, maple & beach, then 
hilly and rocky to the spruce on the W side of a 
a rocky mountain. 

Then north to a maple tree mt No 2 on S. W. 
N. 41 — 00 25 hilly and rocky, hemlock, maple, beach, then 
levil and good to the sd maple and beach tree. 
Then W. 
W. 51 to a hemlock saplin mt 2 on S. E. 12 levil upland — 

beach and maple 12 intervail good — maple, but- 
uut, ashpin, then upland, hilly and some rocky to 
the sd saplin. 

At 21 crossed the river 50 wide, runs N. E. 
Then south 
S 32 — 30 hilly and some rocky, map. heml. pop, then anter- 
vail good to the N. line of No 1 mt a beach stake 
No 2 on N E. at 28 a brook 10 wide, runs E. 
From the field notes quoted it is understood that the Cap- 
tain Piatt Rogers surveying party had on the 21st of Septem- 
i)er, 1789, reached a point in the Boquet Valley just above 
where the famous Hunter's Home now stands. It is regret- 
able that the book of field notes ends at this point, as the ob- 

1 This was probably the fir^t building- ever erected by civilized man in the Boquet Valley. 



25 HISTORY OP ELIZA BETBTOWN 

sprvatioDS of the party takeu as progress was made dovvu the 
Boquet Valley would be hi<ijhly interesting to the present gen- 
eration. This year, (1789) it will be recalled, the Federal 
Constitution weut into effect and thus the Rogers State Road 
and our U. S. Government are the same age. For his work for 
the State of New York Captain Rogers and his associates re- 
ceived a patent of 3700 acres of land along the route of the 
newly cut road. Fortunately for the readers of Pleasant Val- 
ley a record of the early Boquet Valley settlers was furnished 
by the late Dr. Asa Post which is given on the following pages. 

Notes of the Settlement of the Boquet Valley in Elizabethtown^ 
N. Y., Written by Asa Post in 1854. 

Mb. Henry R. Noble : 

Some time since, you asked me if I could give a brief history 
of the first settlement of the Boquet Valley ; if I could, you 
wished I would do it. I told you I thought I could ; but did 
not think at that time, that I should ever undertake it. But 
lately I have thought that a brief narrative of the first settle- 
ment of this valley, would be interesting to many of the pres- 
ent inhalntants, and especially to the rising generation. 

I have concluded to make a simple statement of facts, so far 
as I am able ; perhaps I may err as to dates, for I have no 
written data ; but rely wholly on memory ; I was then living 
at Panton, but was acquainted with all the first settlers ; they 
depended on me as a physician for seven or eight years ; until 
Dr. A. Morse came to the valley. 

To commence my narrative; I must premise, as an intro- 
duction, some things that took place some jears prior to the 
settlement of the Boquet V^alley. A company of gentlemen to 
the number of eight or ten,made a contract with the State 
Government to cut a road from Schroon Lake through to 



HISTORY OP ELIZABETHTOWN 26 

Plattsburgh; aucl to receive in payment laud on the route of 
said road, where they saw fit to lay it out ; at a low price, pro- 
vided they get on a certain number of settlers in a limited time. 

Capt. Flatt Rogers, being one of thecompan}^ was appointed 
agent or rather Superintendent to look out and cut the road. 
(The above was the common report.) 

The road was cut through, and lots of laud surveyed, for the 
company, some in Schroon, some in the valley, and some in 
the town of Lewis.^ I think the job was completed in the year 
1789. After the completion of the above job, Capt. Rogers 
purchased a farm at Basin Harbor, where he afterward 
resided. 

At this time, there were but three towns within the present 
bounds of Essex County ; Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and 
Willsboro^ (then including Essex) and here and there, a few 
scattering settlers on the Lake-shore ; there was not a house 
or settlement between Young's bay and Grog-harbor. 

A short distance from the Lake-shore commenced a vast 
wilderness, extending west to Lake Ontario, and the extent 
north and south, I cannot tell ; inhabited only by wild beasts, 
and occupied as hunting ground by the Indians ; and that this 
valley was anciently their hunting ground is evident from the 
many stone spikes made to point their arrows, which have 
been found on our plains. 

In the summer of the year 1791, Eliphalet Lamb and a Mr. 
Goszard, two small traders living in Panton, heard that the 
French in Canada, would exchange French horses for young 

1 One of the lots in Lewis was purchased fr<^in Piatt Rogers by Gen. Philip Schuyler who 
sold it to Mor^'an Lewis, afterwards Governor of the State of New York, the man after 
whom the town of Lewis wss named, Tke old Livingston farm, including the above men. 
tioned lot, i?; now ownt-d byjohn B. Milholland. 

2 In 1789 there wtre two towns within the present limits of Essex County — Crown Point, 
formed March 23, 1786, and Willsborough, formed from Crown Point, March 7, 17SS, Jay 
was formed from Willsborough Jan. 16, 1798. Elizabethtown was formed from Crown Point 
Feb. 12, 179S. 



27 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

cattle, head for head, tliej purchased a small drove between 
twenty and thirty head, two years old and some yearlings, and 
drove them into Canada, and made the exchange as they ex- 
pected ; on returning to Plattsburgh, they concluded to return 
in Roger's newly cut road ; they drove on until they came to 
lot No. 5 iu the valley, the flat now occupied by Ira Wakefield 
and Edward Hendee;here they coucluded from the appearance 
of the mountains, that they were past the place where they 
meant to turn out to go to Grog-harbor ferry ; they left their 
horses on the flat, went back to the top of Raven-hill, to dis- 
cover the whereabouts they were; they then went back and 
drove tlieir horses through the woods to Panton. 

Lamb and Goszard were greatly excited by the beautiful 
appearance of the valley of Boquet and reported in Panton, 
that they had seen the haudsomest tract of land in the world ; 
the garden of Eden could not be higher extoled than they 
extoled the valley of Boquet ; the timber was principally butter- 
nut and sugar maple, aud a sprinkliug of other timber, and 
many large pines; the soil of the intervale was of a chocolate 
color, and looked good enough to eat, the soil of upland was 
iu color a light spauish brown, very different from its appear- 
ance at the present day ; and the beautiful river with its gravel 
bottom, and pure watei* as clear as crystal aud aboundiug with 
trout, the most delicious pan-fish. 

Six or eight men iu Panton were much excited by the report 
of the drovers, aud came over to examine for themselves ; 
when they came to see the beautiful valley, they were satisfied 
with the report, that it was all true ; they went immediately 
to Capt. Rogers and bargained for lots of land in the valley, 
for one dollar aud twenty five cents an acre, and agreed to get 
on as many settlers as they could. Captain Rogers told them 
the compau}' wanted to sell their land, for they were under 
obligation to the State to get on a certain number of settlers 




REV. CYRUS COMSTOCK, (FATHER COMSTOCK) 
Founder of Congregationalism in Essex County. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 30 

by a given time. They looked out a passage, marked the 
trees, and cut a foot path from North Ferris' bay, (now Cole's 
bay) across the hills, and by Little Pond to lot No. 8, in the 
valley, now owned by Horatio Deming, a distance of ten miles, 
all a wilderness. 

Early in March 1792 two or three families moved into the 
valley; men and women walked on snow-shoes, the snow be- 
ing three feet deep on the high land ; one woman more reso- 
lute than common, it was said, carried sixty weight on her 
back, the ten miles, and walked on sjiow-shoes. 

They built little sheds to live in while they made maple 
sugar; as the spring opened more settlers came on, and the 
next year a number of families came from Monkton and other 
places. The first settlers especially the first year suffered 
much hardship from their destitute circumstances ; they had 
to bring their provisions from Panton principally, and most of 
them on their backs ; I think there was but one horse in the 
valley the first summer ; Noah Ferris had a canoe, nearly as 
large as a whale-boat, commonly called Noah's Ark, in which 
he ferried people across the Lake with their provisions, &c. 
In the course of the summer, Benjamin Holcomb, Esq., pur- 
chased a steel mill, in the form of a coffee mill, but much 
larger, by which they ground their grain, for one or two years, 
(but it made very coarse bread,) until E. Bishop got his grist- 
mill ready to run. We will now look at their habitations; 
they are made of logs, some of them hewed down a little in- 
side, the spaces between chincked in with ground moss, the 
roof made of spruce bark, so laid on as to shed rain, the floors 
were Basswood split plank, their chairs were Basswood plank 
with three or four legs, the tables were of the same material 
with longer legs. But the people appeared cheerful and happy 
under their trials and hardship ; the prospect ahead, the antici- 
pated prosperity, was a source of encouragement to persevere 



31 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

iu industry and frugality ; all their crops looked promisiug, 
success seemed to follow their efforts, and they expected a 
competent living in a short future. I think it was in fall of 
1792 the inhabitants mustered strength enough to cut out a 
sled path from what is now called Fisher bridge to Northwest 
Bay, so they could now pass with loaded teams each wa)' ; 
their teaming business was all done with sleds and sleighs ; 
for there was not a wheel carriage in the valley for two or three 
years. 

After they had cut out a road to Northwest bay, and the Ice 
on the Lake became sound, they brought in by sleighing the 
house furniture they had left in Panton, such as chairs, tables, 
chests, &c. In the course of that winter and spring, a large 
number of families moved into the valley, so that most of the 
lots were taken up. 

Elijah Bishop, a mechanic of all trades, moved into the val- 
ley in the spring of 1793 ; he built a saw-mill first and then a 
grist-mill, which were a great accommodation to the inhabi- 
tants; they could now obtain boards and plank for their floors, 
and other uses ; and have good flour, bj' having their grain 
ground fine and bolted, and making a mateiial change in the 
article of bread. 

I will now endeavor to tell the names of the first settlers on 
each lot ; beginning at the south end of the valley ; Jedediah 
Holcomb settled on the south hundred acres of lot No. 2, now 
owned by Reuben Nichols. (These are 200 acre lots up to 
No. 8) Jonah Hanchet took up the north 100, now owned by 
Randal Reed. Walter Buck took the south 50 acres of lot 
No. 3, now owned by Luke Rice. Mr. Buck took the next 50 
acres. Sampson Smith took the north 100, now owned by 
Stewart Smith. Heman Finney took the north 100 acres of 
lot No. 4, now owned by John Saunders, Jr., and Joel Finney 
took the south 100, now owned by John Saunders, Jr. Ben- 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 32 

jaraeo Holcomb, Esq., took lots No. 5 and 6 and gave up the 
north half of No. 5 to EHjah Bishop to build mills on the falls, 
where the mills and forge now stand. The land now owned 
by Lucius Bishop. The Forge and mills now owned by Put- 
nam & Co. 

The south half of No. 5 now owned principally by Edward 
Hendee. The remainder of No. 6 owned by Ira Wakefield ex- 
cepting the south 50 acres sold to John Saunders, Sr. Ware- 
ham Barber took the south 100 acres of No. 7, the same which 
I have since occupied. Almond Holcomb took the next 50 
acres now owned by Jonathan Post. Nathan Lewis took 
the north 50 acres of No. 7 and the whole of lot No. 8, now 
owned by Horatio Deming. Then comes three 300 acre lots 
Nos. 5, 6 and 7, Hesekiah Phelps took the south 100 of No, 5, 
now owned by Willard Deming, Ira Phelps took the next 50 
acres, now owned by Jacob Deyoe. William Kellogg took the 
north 150 acres, now owned by Jonathan and Dana Wakefield. 
Gardner Simonds took the south 100 acres of lot No. 6, now 
owned by William E. Marshall. Joseph Durand took the 
middle 100 acres, now owned by Erastus and J. Lobdell. 

Reuben Peck took the north 100 acres, now owned by Al- 
fred Ames. Noah Davis took the south 100 acres of lot No. 
7, and Isaac Knapp the middle 100, both belong now to Levi 
D. Brown. The north 100 acres now owned by Oliver Abel. 
Then comes 200 acre lots again. Sylvanus Lobdell took the 
south 100 acres of lot No. 9, now owned by Mrs. Abel. Peter 
Fish took the north 100 acres of No. 9, now owned by Oliver 
Abel. Lot No. 10 lies principally east of the river unsettled, 
but occupied by neighboring farmers. Capt. Rogers wanted 
the Gristmill and possessions of Noah Ferris at Cole's Bay ; 
he gave Ferris two lots No. 11 and 12 in the valley, containing 
400 acres of land, for his possessions at Cole's Bay. Lot. No. 
13 was taken by Jonas Gibbs, and his sons ; now owned I be- 



33 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

lieve priucipally by Judge Hand. After Noah Ferris had ob- 
tained a deed of tbe 400 acres of land, he moved into the val- 
ley, aud built a loo- house near the west line of lot No. 11 ; and 
was said, or thought to be the most forehanded man in the 
valley, owning 400 acres of land, and free from debt ; he lived 
here but a few years, for his land went from him, piece after 
piece, and piece after piece, from under liis hand and seal, until 
he had not a foot of laud left, of the 400 acres, to stand on ; 
he then went and settled down on land belonging to the State, 
lying directly east, and adjoining lot No. 11, where he lived a 
few years, and where he died. 

Here are three 200 acre lots abreast, running east and west; 
the middle lot No. 12 contains nearly the whole ground, on 
which the entire village now stands, both on the plain, and on 
the branch, with all the public buildings. The above account 
shows how liable we are to a change of circumstances. 

I think proper to state here a distressing calamity which 
took place in the early settlement of the valley ; after Mr. 
Peck had been in the valley about two years, he had the mis- 
fortune to have his house, and every thing he had in it, burnt 
up ; and yet more distressing was the calamity, two of his 
children burnt to death in it. The circumstances as I under- 
stood were these ; they were about going to a neighbor's on 
an evening visit, they had three children, a little girl about 
nine years old and two boys younger ; they put the children 
to bed, thought they would be safer than to be up; and went 
awa}^ to make their evening visit ; some time the latter part of 
the evening the little girl waked up, and saw the house was in 
flames all around them, she hurried the boys into the street, 
thinking they were then safe, but the boys, supposed not to 
be sufficiently awake, ran back into the house, and were im- 
mediately surrounded by the flames aud fell to the floor, she 
dare not go in to rescue them. At the funeral of the burnt 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 3-t 

children, Benjamin Holcomb, Esq., a man of generous spirit, 
and some influence, proposed thatthe whole neighborhood turn 
out and help Mr. Peck build a house, they all said amen ; and 
went to work, and within a week Mr. Peck had a comfortable 
little framed house to move into ; and their friends, connec- 
tions and a generous public, contributed to their necessities, 
and furnished them the necessaries and conveniences, for 
housekeeping agaiu. It is a common remark, that the inhab- 
itants of a new settlement are very friendly to each other. 

I will relate a little of the industry of the first settlers ; for 
three or four years they made a good deal of maple sugar. 
Nathan Lewis told me, he made between seventeen and eight- 
een hundred weight one season, and made a large payment 
for his land with it, to Capt. Rogers ; who took all kinds of 
produce of the settlers in payment for land. They raised 
good crops of Rye, Oats, Indian Corn, Potatoes, &c. But 
wheat did not do so well, where there was spruce turf, it would 
grow about two feet high, and begin to head out and then dry 
up. On newW cleared land they raised sometimes a good crop 
of Corn, that did not cost in labor over one shilling a bushel. 

Thus, I have given, in a plain and simple manner a brief 
and true Narrative of the first discovery and settlement, of the 
valley of Boquet. 

Nov. 1854. ASA POST. 

(87) 

Dr. Asa Post's original letter describing the Settlement of 
the Boquet Valley is now in possession of Dr. John Gould 
Noble of New York City, the matter used by the writer having 
been copied from said original. 

Most of the pioneer settlers named by Dr. Asa Post came 
into the Boquet Valley from North West Bay, quite a few of 
them having come across Lake Champlain from Vermont. 
These pioneers and their families followed the blazed tree line 



85 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

made by Tappan in 1787, passing by Little Fond and down to 
the Boquet River near the month of Little Pond Brook. 
A bridle path, so-called, was cut out along Tappan's Line. 
Moreover several log houses were erected along this "trail" 
between Little Pond and the Boquet River. In one of these 
log houses Ithai Judd, Elizabethtowu's pioneer surveyor, lived 
for several years. It was in this log house that the most of 
the boyhood of the late David Judd was passed. This row 
of log houses, a primitive "street," as it were, long since ceased 
to be, only slight depressions, the old cellar holes, and a few 
old apple trees remain, silent, solemn reminders of pioneer ac- 
tivity.'' 

Where Reuben Nichols lived in 1854 now stands "The Brook- 
side," built by Thomas Sutherland, Troj-'s famous boiler 
maker, in 1901, and occupied by Leslie Denton and wife, the 
latter being a niece of Mr. Sutherland. 

Jonah Hanchett was the father of Ebenezer, Squire and 
Jonah Hanchett, Jr. Ed. Denton lives where Randall Reed 
did in 1854. 

B. F. Gilligan lives where Walter Buck took up land. 

The Sampson Smith farm is to-day occupied by Ernest 
Barber, a great, great grnndson of Major Hezekiah Barber, 
after whom Barber's Point in the town ofWestportwas named. 

He man Finney came into the Boquet Valley in the spring 



I In 1859, when the late Judffe Robert S. Hale purchased the farm in the Boquet Valley 
which his since been known as the Hale farm (now owned by Tiiomas B. O'Donnell) he en- 
gajjed the late David Judd to survey for him. Richard L. Hand of Elizabethtown, President 
of the Mew York State Bar Association, was then a young man and accompanied the sur- 
vey! riij party. As the party was passing along near one of these old cellar holes "Uncle 
David," as Mr. Judd was locally and familiarly called by many, stopped and pointing to the 
depression in the ground, said: "There's where I was brought up." "Uncle David" was 
then poicitin,j to nil that remained of the home of his boyhood. What tender memories must 
have been called up by the !>it;htof all that remained of the pioneer home of his benefactor, 
Ithai Judd. The writiT has often passed the old cellar hole mentioned and in fact the others 
along thit long abando-.cd "str<;et," concerning which no other historian of this region has 
ever made the slightest mention. 



HISTORY OP ELIZABETHTOWN '66 

of 1794, followino; the "trail" from Lake Champlaiu which 
passed by Little Pond and came down to the Boquet River 
near the mouth of Little Pond Brook. He carried his wife 
across the Boquet River on his back. He was also accompa- 
nied by his younger brother, Anson Finney, who was then 
only eight years old. Heman Finney settled on the east side 
of the Boquet River opposite the present residence of Sidney F. 
Scriver. The first Sunday after Heman Finney was settled in 
his newly built log cabin he and his wife went out for a walk along 
the Boquet River. When they returned a couple of hours 
afterwards their wild-wood home was in ashes, having com- 
pletely burned down during their absence. This was indeed a 
case of rubbing out and beginning again but nothing, appar- 
ently, daunted those early pioneers and soon Heman Finney 
had another cabin up to take the place of the one destroyed 
by fire.^ 

JoelFinney was the next younger brother of Heman Finney. 
He was a Captain of militia. After a few years passed in 
Pleasant Valley he moved into what is now the town of West- 
port. In 1807 the name of Joel Finney was mentioned in the 
Baptist Church book there and soon after the church was meet- 
ing at his house "at Northwest Bay." He is said to have after- 
wards lived along the Black River and his mortal remains 
were buried in the Black River cemetery. 

Benjamin Holcomb owned the farms afterwards occupied by 
James Hoisington and now owned and occupied by S. B. Pit- 
kin and H. E. Pitkin. 

The hamlet of New Russia is mostly located on the Elijah 
Bishop property. 

Thomas B. O'Donnell lives where Dr.AsaPost lived in 1854. 

Miss Post lives where Almond Holcomb settled. 



1 For this statement of fact the writer is indebted to the venerable A. McD. Finney, 
a nephew of the late Heman Finney. 



37 HISTORY OF ELIZABETBTOWN 

Thomas B. O'Donnell now cnvus the Nathau Lewis farm, 
long siuce kuown as the "Hale farm." 

Daniel Fitzgerald lives where Hezekiah Phelps settled. 

Louis LaMouutain occupies the house where Jacob Deyoe 
lived in 1854 and which is now the property of Mrs. G. W. 
Rexsamer of Philadelphia. A few rods above the house where 
Mr. LaMouutaiu lives stands "Wiudy-Cliff," the spacious and 
coiuuiaudiug summer home of Mrs. Rexsamer. 

William N. Otis owus and occupies the Captain William 
Kellogg farm. Captain William Kellogg was a survivor of the 
Wyoming Massacre and bore the Indian scalp mark. He is 
said to have partly developed a saw-mill site at what is now 
New Russia. In fact it is claimed by descendants that it was 
he who induced his brother-in-law Elijah Bishop to turn his 
back on the Green Mountain State and come to Pleasant Val- 
ley. William Kellogg was appointed Lieutenant in a Regi- 
ment of Militia whereof Joseph Sheldou was Lieutenant-Col- 
onel Commandant March 10, 1803, by Gov. George Clinton 
and he was appointed Captain iu a regiment of Militia whereof 
Joseph Sheldon was Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant April 
22, 1805, Morgan Lewis beiug Governor and making the latter 
appointment. 

Judging from the following Captain Wm. Kellogg must have 
been a pensioner : 

War Department, No. 374, 

Pension Office, 
8 May, 1821. 

Sir: 

You are hereby informed that the schedule of your property 
has been examined and the Secretary of War has directed 
your name to be continued on the Pension Roll. 

You will be paid at the ensuing semi-annual payment iu 
Sept. next, the sum that may be then due from the suspend- 




DAVID JUDD, 
Adopted Son of Ithai Judd, Elisabsthtown's First Suiveyci-. 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 40 

ina; your pension. Funds for the purpose will be transmit- 
ted at that time ; but no arrearages will be paid previous 
thereto. 

I am, respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

J. L. EDWARDS. 
To Mr. William Kellogg, 

of Elizabethtown, N. York. 

In October, 1823, William Kellogg was fatally hurt by being 
thrown out of a wagon on the Plain in the village of Eliz- 
abethtown, dying from the effects a few hours after the acci- 
dent. He died where Deer's Head Inn now stands Oct. 22, 
1823, aged 64 years, and was buried in the Boquet Valley 
cemetery. 

A sou of William Kellogg, Rowland Kellogg by name, born 
in Monkton, Vt., Nov. 26, 1.786, married Sally Titus, who was 
born in Voluutown, Conn., April 6, 1787. Their children 
were : 

Amy, born in Lewis, N. Y., July 5, 1805. 

Orlando, born in Elizabethtown, N. Y., June 18, 1809. 

Eliza, born in Panton, Vt., July 30, 1811. 

Alouzo, born in Middlebury, Vt., April 29, 1815. 

Edwin, born in Elizabethtown, N. Y., January 23, 1817. 

LaFayette, born in " " Feb. 1, 1819. 

Edwin, " " " " August 3, 1823. 

July 3, 1814, Rowland Kellogg, who like his father was a 
military man, was 27 years of age, 5 feet, 8 inches high, had 
light complexion, brown hair, blue eyes, occupation carpenter. 
These facts are gleaned from old military papers in possession 
of descendants. 

Rowland Kellogg was, according to a preserved commission, 
on Aug. 30, 1817, 3d Sergeant in a company of which Ezra 0. 
Gross was Captain, Luman Wadhams, Esq., being Colonel of 



41 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

the Regiment. On the 30th of August, 1819, Rowland KeUof^ii 
was 2d Sergeant in a Company of which Ezva C. Gross was 
Captain. 

Rowland Kellogg practiced medicine some, having studied 
with Dr. Asa Post, and also worked as a carpenter and while 
engaged in doing carpenter work caught cold which developed 
into consumption. He died in 182f) and was buried in t!ie 
Boquet Valley cemetery. 

The Gardner Simonds farm has latterly been known as the 
Deming farm and is to-day owned by Wm. N. Otis. 

Jerome T. Lobdell and his sister, Miss Lobdell, own and oc- 
cupy the Joseph Francis Dnrand farm. Joseph Francis 
Durand came into the Boqnet Valley by way of the Tappau 
Line trail in the spring of 1794, carrying two bushels of wheat 
on his shoulders from the shore of Lake Champlain to the Bo- 
quet River. Joseph Francis Durand was a son of Francis 
Joseph Durand and Patience Weed of Norwalk, Conn., being 
directly connected with the nobility of France. He traced his 
lineage back to Charles Emanuel Durand, a Noble of France, 
in the time when Burgundy was a province of Spain. Charles 
Emanuel Durand (Catholic) was a counsellor at law and was 
enobled by the King of Spain. The Durand coat of arms 
consisted of a shield, field of sky blue, gold baud and gold 
clovers or knots, the motto on a scroll underneath, meaning, 
"I hope while enduring." 

The father of Joseph Francis Durand died in or near Char- 
lotte, Vt. The first house built by Joseph Francis Durand in 
the Boquet Valley stood just a few feet east of the house now 
owned and occupied by Arthur Cauley. He also built the 
house on the east side of the Boquet River wliich is to-day 
owned and occupied by the Lobdells. Joseph Francis Du- 
rand's wife was Elizabeth Arnold, also a Connecticut woman, 
and their children were Betsey who married Rowland Nichols 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 42 

of Lewis. Polly who married James Reynolds and later moved 
to Ohio, Sarah who married Orson Kellogg, the famous school 
teacher, and Lucy who married Le!aud Rowe, Myron who 
married Elvira P. Bruce, James and Jesse who died young, 
Simeon who married a Lewis, and Milo who married Abigail 
Perry. 

Simeon Durand settled on the east side of Mt. Raven. His 
children were Horace, Orlando, (the peddler) Betsey, Almira 
and Lodemia. Simeon Durand was buried in Black River 
cemetery. 

Milo Durand eventually settled on what is to-day known 
as "Durand Farm." He built the white house which 
stands back from the road and is so pleasantly shaded by trees. 
His children were Edgar M., Alonzo M., Helen M., Almeron M., 
Albert A., Alembert J., Oliver H., Sarah Jane (Jennie), Ander- 
son K., Achsa A., six of whom — Alonzo M., Almeron M., 
Alembert J., Oliver H., Anderson K. and Achsa A., still live. 

Alexander Durand, son of Francis Joseph Durand, was the 
father of Calvin Durand, so long prominent at Clintonville, N. 
Y. Simeon and Merari were also sons of Francis Joseph Du- 
rand aod they lived in Pleasant Valley for a time. 

Charlotte, Anna and Mary Durand were daughters of Fran- 
cis Joseph Durand. Mary married a Lewis, afterwards John 
Sherman, father of the late Jesse Sherman of Elizabethtown. 

Robert H. Wood, Elizabethtown's Highway Commissioner, 
lives where Reuben Peck settled and where Alfred Ames lived 
in 1854. 

The Noah Davis and Isaac Kuapp property to-day belongs 
to Friend Abner Brown, eldest son of the late Levi DeWitt 
Brown who owned the property in 1854. The Noah Davis 
house, built of logs, stood on the east side of the highway 
near the top of what is to-day known as the "Davis Hill," 
having been so named in honor of Noah Davis. The "re- 



43 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

mains" of the old Noah Davis cellar are still visible in what 
is known in Brown farm parlance as the "big orchard." 

The Sylvaniis Lobdell farm is to-day owned by Mrs. Eliz- 
abeth Partridge, widow of the late AdolphusR. Partridge, and 
mother of Mrs. Friend A. Brown, Mrs. William H. Hauchett, 
Winslow Pu Partridge of Elizabethtown and Mason H. Par- 
tridge, Sexton of Grace Church, Broadway and 10th Street, 
New York City. 

When Sylvanus Lobdell came into the Boquet Valley in 
1794 he came from the "Shaker country" and was accompa- 
nied by his younger brother, John Lobdell, then 18 years of 
age, and destined to be one of the most active, useful men who 
ever located in Pleasant Valley. The great-great grandfather 
of Sylvanus and John Lobdell was Simon Lobdell, "the emi- 
grant." Simon Lobdell's name is among those of "the early 
planters" of Milford, Conn. He was made a "freeman" at 
Hartford, Conn., in 1657. He went to Springfield, Mass., where 
he was prison keeper from 1666 to 1674 and where, by his wife 
Persis, his children were born. He died at Milford, Conn. At 
Probate Court held in New Haven Oct. 4, 1717, his only son 
Joshua was appointed administrator. Jacob Lobdell, a son 
of Joshua Lobdell, married Ruth Boughton August 28, 1757, 
at Salem, Westchester County, N. Y. The children of Jacob 
Lobdell and Ruth Boughton were Sylvanus, Boughton, Ruth, 
Jacob, Elizabeth and John. Sylvanus Lobdell married Anna 
Knapp, Boughton Lobdell married Sophrouia Newell, Ruth 
Lobdell married Levi Lamb, Jacob Lobdell married Hannah 
Waterbury Boughton, Elizabeth Lobdell married John Ayers, 
John Lobdell married for his first wife Nancy Hoisiugton, a 
daughter of James Hoisington of Elizabethtown, Nancy 
(Hoisington) Lobdell died during the War of 1812 and was 
buried in the Black River cemetery. John Lobdell's second 
wife was Emma Hoisington, a sister of his first wife. John 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETQTOWN 44 

Lobdell and Emma Hoisingtou were married Ma}^ IB, 1815 
and by this union the following; children were born : 

Erastas, born Sept. 12, 1816, married Mary Ann Nichols. 

Levi, born June 5, 1818, married Jane Goodale. 

James, JBorn Oct. 12, 1820, married Jane Knapp. 

Jacob, born Feb. 18, 1823, never married. 

Nancy, born Aug;. 8, 1826, married Julius Vaughan. 

Caroline, born Sept. 12, 1828, married Calvin D. Pratt. 

Rosamond, born Feb. 4, 1833, never married. 

Jerome Theron, born Feb. 19, 1835, married Helen Deyoe. 

Of this large family of children but two survive — Rosamond 
and Jerome Theron Lobdell, who own and live on the old 
Joseph Francis Durand farm in the Boquet Valley. 

When the Lobdells first came into the Boquet Valley they 
ground their corn in an old stone mortar by means of a lever 
arrangement, the peculiar primitive outfit being located under 
the ledge just north of the present residence of Winslow R. 
Partridge. About 20 years ago the late Jacob Lobdell 
pointed out the place and explained the process to the writer. 

About the same time the early settlers were flocking into 
the Boquet Valley Stephen Roscoe came across Lake Cham- 
plain from Vermont, built a saw-mill and settled on the 
Branch or Little Boquet where Lobdell Brothers (sons of 
Jerome T. and grandsons of John Lobdell before mentioned) 
are now operating so extensively, having both a saw-mill and 
a grist-mill. The writer has before him a letter written by 
William Emmet Roscoe, the Schoharie County historian, at 
Central Bridge, N, Y., under date of Feb. 9th, 1903. Accord- 
ing to this letter Stephen Roscoe and his sons crossed the 
lake (Champlaiu) and cut and hewed the timber in the winter 
of 1791-2 out of which the saw-mill was built in the spring of 
1792, "so that they could saw lumber for a house and barn for 
themselves and for neighbors who were moving in." This 



45 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

saw-mill stood just above where the Lobdell Brothers new 
saw-mill is located. Every stick of the timber of the frame 
was hewed, studs, rafters, braces, etc., and the mill irons were 
brought from Barber's Poiut ou horseback. William E. Roscoe 
says iu the letter quoted from that he often heard his father 
say that while they were cutting the timber for the first saw- 
mill ever erected on the Brauch or Little Boquet "they lived 
ou Johnny cake and put a slice, for their dinners, in their 
pants pockets to thaw while they were at work."i 

It would seem from the Schoharie County historian's letter 
that the Roscoe saw-mill was the first one erected in what is 
now Elizabethtowu, us he says : "The only mill at that time 
was at or near Westport." 

Speaking of his grandfather — Stephen Roscoe — and the 
causes which led to his settlement here in the wilderness, the 
Schoharie County historian says : 

"Grandfather was pretty well-to-do for those days and had 
good pluck and ambition but was averse to political troubles. 
The great squabble over the New Hampshire grants threat- 
ened another war and he chose to enter the wilderness and 
secure enough land for his large family instead of remaining 
on the disputed territory and perhaps lose all he had," 

Stephen Roscoe "took up" quite a tract or patent of land, 
640 acres, a mile square. Beginning near where the old John 
Barton house stands, his line ran between the Nichols and 
Roscoe property to a point at the top of the hill south of the 
Nichols school house in the town of Lewis, thence west 
along between the R. C. Blood and George Bartlett farms to 
the east line of old Military Tract, thence to a point a little 
west of what is to-day referred to as Rice's Falls, thence east 

I "Johnnv-cake" was corn bread mixed hastily and baked on a board which was tilted up 
before a bed of coals. The name is a corruption of "journey-cake," since it was the only 
kind of bread which could be baked in camp, while one was on a journey through the woods, 
etc. The "Johnny-cake" of to-day, which is, as of old, hastily ''stirred up," is baked under 
improved conditions and is a popular bread-stuff with natives and tourists alike. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 46 

to the place of beginning near the Barton house. He had 
an exalted idea of the importance of his tract, its location, etc. 
When he began to operate on his tract the flat to-day owned 
by Friend M. Roscoe was covered with a heavy primeval 
forest, principally beech and maple. At that time no blow 
had been struck where the present village of Elizabethtown 
stands except what Stephen Roscoe and his sons had done 
up where Lobdell Brothers are now operating so extensively. 
Curiously enough when Stephen Roscoe and his sons cleared 
what is to day referred to as the Roscoe flat he thought he 
was starting the foundation of "the village." However, when 
the timber was cut off, he found numerous brooks were wind- 
ing their wa^^ through his village site and that in consequence 
the flat was wet and swampy. Such is the irony of fate, 
as that flat has remained moist for over a century and "the 
village" has grown up over a mi!e away from Stephen Ros- 
coe's cherished site. 

Stephen Roscoe had a large family of children as the follow- 
ing list attests : Stephen, Azor, Simeon, James, John B., Esther, 
Ruth, Mary. 

Stephen Roscoe, Jr., physician, settled in Pan ton, Vt. 

Azor Roscoe lived in Elizabethtown for awhile. 

Simeon Roscoe was twice married, his first wife being Lois 
Ashley. Simeon Roscoe's children by his first wife were 
Kaziah who married Robert Thompson, Jr., Phila who mar- 
ried Lyman Shepard, Lucy who married Marshall Warren, 
Polly who married Elisha Flagg, and James who died while 
young. Simeon Roscoe's second wife was Nancy Roscoe, a 
cousin, and their children were Simeon, Jr., who married Mary 
Ann Studwell, Levi who married Eliza Stockwell, Stephen 
who married Alvira Blood, John who married Rebecca Spauld- 
ing, Abbie who died while young, Lois who married Lewis 
Jenner and Ruth who married Nathaniel K. Jenner and became 



47 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

the mother of Mrs. Lucy Jane Pierce, widow of the late Alonzo 
Pierce, Miss Eliza Jenuer, Levi A. aucl Edgar G. Jenuer. 

Jauies Roscoe married Esther Robertsou. Their children 
were Robertson J., Nelson J., Hudson and Charlotte, all of 
whom are living except Hudson, and all of whom are past 81 
years of age. Robertson J. married Lodisa Holt, a daughter 
of the late Alvah Holt of Keene, Nelson J. married Cynthia 
Merritt, Hudson married Abagail Hinds and Charlotte mar- 
ried Ira Deming and became the mother of Miss Ada V. Dem- 
ing and John J. Deming of this town, and two estimable 
daughters — Marion C. and Jennie L. Deming — who died after 
having reached womanhood. 

John B. Roscoe was born in Connecticut in 1777 and came 
into what is now Elizabeth cown with his father when the tim- 
ber cutting for the saw-mill commenced. He lived with his 
father, tending saw-mill, etc., until 1800. He studied medi- 
cine with his brother Dr. Stephen Roscoe of Panton, Vt., and 
with Dr. Alexander Morse of Elizabetlitown, after which he 
married Ruth Knoulton, whose father lived a little north of 
where the Nichols school house now stands in the town of 
Lewis. The brook which flows by the Nichols school house 
was originally known as "Knoulton Brook," later as "Phelps 
Brook," the latter name being in honor of the late George 
Phelps who so long lived on the farm in the town of Lewis 
which is to-day owned by Orlando Kellogg, proprietor of "The 
Windsor." The building of a dam across this brook brought 
into being what is known to-day as "The Windsor Farm Fish 
Pond." John B. Roscoe's first wife (Ruth Knoulton) died in 
1801 and was buried in what is now known as the Roscoe 
cemetery, said to have been the first interment in what is 
now a populous city of the dead. In 1803 John B. Roscoe was 
in Charlestown, Montgomery County, N. Y., practicing medi- 
cine and in 1805 went over the line 4 or 5 miles into Car- 




OLIVER ABEL, 
Son of Azel Abel, Elizabethtown's First Hotel Keeper. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 50 

lisle, Schoharie County, N. Y. After moviuo- into Schoharie 
Couuty he married twice. William Emmet Roscoe, the Scho- 
harie County historian, and Marshall Roscoe are sons of Dr. 
John B. Roscoe who lived to be over 90 years of age. 

Esther Roscoe married a Squires, father of Azor Squires. 

Ruth Roscoe married Stephen Ashley and became the 
mother of Ruth Auu Ashley who married Levit Blood and be- 
came the mother of Alembert A. Blood of Lewis. 

Mary Roscoe married a Squires and lived in Vermont. 

In winding up this sketch of Stephen Roscoe and his family, 
it is only fair to state that the mortal remains of the sturdy 
pioneer were buried in the Roscoe Cemetery, on Roscoe Street 
iu the town of Lewis, on a slight eminence overlooking the flat 
where he once fondly hoped a village would "spring up." He 
was mistaken as to the materialization of a village, but Roscoe 
Street and Roscoe Cemetery are names which have been 
brought down to the present by a grateful posterity and will 
commemorate the name of the founder of the house of Roscoe 
in this section so long as time endures. 

Inasmuch as there has been some question raised by people 
living in surrounding towns as to the origin of and authority 
for use of the appellation "Pleasant Valley" the writer quotes 
the wording of an original deed in the possession of Miss Alice 
E. Abel of Elizabethtown, which deed was drawn and witnessed 
December 1, 1795, being signed by Piatt Rogers himself. 
Those people who have chosen to sneer at the appellation 
"Pleasant Valley" and say that it was only a modern name 
applied for effect by members of the present generation have 
a chance to learn by the wording of the following deed, which 
is also on record in the Essex County Clerk's office, that the 
name was applied to this section 110 years ago, three years be- 
fore Elizabethtown was set off as a town from the town of 
Crown Point ; 



51 HISTORY OF ELIZA DETHTOWN 

This Indenture made this first day of December in the year 
(if our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five Be- 
tween Piatt Rogers of Fishkill in Dutchess County and State 
of New York of the one p;irt and jMrnes Andress of Pleasant 
Valley in Crown Point, District, County & State aforesaid of 
the other part, Wituesseth that the sd Piatt Rogers for and in 
consideration of the sum of seventy six pounds, eight shillings 
and nine pence Lawful money of the State of New York to 
him in hand paid by the sd James Andress at and before the 
ensealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is 
hereby acknowledged, hath granted, bargained, sold and by 
these presents doth grant, bargain, sell and release unto the stl 
James Andress and to his heirs and assigns forever 

All and singular that tract or parcel of land lying in Pleas- 
ant Yalley in Crown Point, District, County and State afore- 
said in the Patent of Pleasant ValleT which i:)atent contains 
three thousand seven hundred acres of Laud Iving on Boquete 
River and is known by a subdivision of saitl tract by Lot No. nine 
of which he the said James Andress is to have one equal half 
or hundred acres of(f) of the north side of sd Lot which Lot 
contains two hundred acres of Land. Together with all and 
singular the rites, members, hereditaments and appurtenances 
to the same belonging or in anywise appertaining and the re- 
vertion and remainders, rents, issues and profits thereof. To 
Have and to Hold the sd granted and bargained premises with 
all the appurtenances thereunto belonging to him, tl)e said 
James Andress, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns 
forever. 

In witness whereof the parties to these presents have here- 
unto Interchangeably set their hauds and seals this day and 
year first above written. Piatt Rogers | L.S.] 

Signed, Sealed and delivered in the presence of 
Thomas Tredwell, Chas. Piatt. 

The fact is the "Patent of Pleasant Valley" as mentioned in 
the deed quoted was constantly referred to by Piatt Rogers 
from 1789 till his death in 1798 and the name Pleasant Valley 
has been applied to this section more or less tor the past 115 
years, the unwarranted sneers of jealous outsiders to the con- 
trary notwithstanding. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETBTOVVN 52 

It. will be noted that on December 1, 1795, Piatt Rogers evi- 
dently considered his residence to be Fishkill, Datchess 
County, New York. However, as Dr. Asa Post and Mrs. Car- 
oline H. Eioyce, the latter bein» a descendant of Piatt Rogers, 
have both said that the famous road-maker lived at Basin 
Harbor, Vt., it is undoubtedly true. Perhaps Piatt Rogers, our 
pioneer road maker, resided during the winter seasou at Fish- 
kill, N. Y., and during the summer at Basin Harbor, Vt. If 
so, he was undoubtedly the pioneer summer resident of the 
Champlain Valley aud the fact should be recorded in history. 

The year 1796 was an eventful one in the Champlain Valley 
and contiguous territory, especially on the west side. About 
the first of February, 1796, William Gilliland, who was then 
living with his son-in-law Daniel Ross in what is now known 
as the William R. Derby house in the northern part of the 
village of Essex, went across Lake Champlain to visit his 
friend Piatt Rogers at Basin Harbor. At least so two eminent 
historians — the late Hon. Wiuslow C. Watson and Mrs. Caro- 
line H. Royce — have recorded. It is supposed that Gilliland 
walked to Basin Harbor on the ice. After visiting Mr. Rogers 
he set out to return to the eastern side of Lake Champlain but 
so far as is known was never again seen alive after he passed 
out of sight from the windows of the house at Basin Harbor. 
He evidently lost his way upon the ice aud turned off too soon, 
wandering about on the mountains south of Essex until he 
sank and perished from cold and exhaustion. After his 
strength failed him so that he was unable to walk, he dragged 
himself along until the flesh was worn from his hands and 
knees. Somewhere near the northern base of Coon mountain, 
upon soil which was once part of Elizabethtown aud is now 
part of Westport, the great hearted pioneer breathed his last. 

Such was the tragic end of a remarkable life. The pioneer 
of the Champlain Valley, once rich and the generous dispenser 



53 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

of munificeDt hospitalities, the associate aucl couusellor of 

vice royalty, theu poor, piteously perished of cold and famine, 

far from human care, with no voice to soothe his sufferings 

and no kind hand to close his dyiug eyes. A simple stone 

marked his grave in the cemetery of Essex village for more 

than 100 years, the inscription reading as follows : 

Sacred to the Memory of 

William Gilliland, Esq., 

who departed this life 2d Feb., 1796, 

aged 62 years. 

Erected by W. and H. Ross. 

The remains of the ill-starred pioneer settler of Essex 
County remained in the Essex village cemeter}^ for over 104 
years. In the summer of 1900, however, tlie remains were re- 
moved to Lakeview cemetery in the town of Willsboro ami 
there re-interred under the direct supervision of John Bleecker 
Cuyler of Willsboro, a descendant of Gilliland. 

In the spring of 1796 the first recorded religious advance- 
ment was made in Pleasant Valley. The first Methodist 
preacher that is known to have visited Essex County, New 
York, was the Rev. Richard Jacobs. He was one of the pio- 
neers under the Rev. Freeborn G-.irretson, who first explored 
this region in this capacity. Mr. Jacobs belonged to a wealthy 
family of the "standing order," in Shefiield, Berkshire County, 
Mass. For becoming a Methodist he was disinherited by his 
father and, with his young wife, thrown out penniless upon the 
the world. In the spring of 1796 he left his family at Clifton 
Park and took a tour through Northern New York as far as 
Essex and Clinton counties, preaching to the few scattered in- 
habitants of the region. 

"At Elizabethtown (Pleasant Valley) numbers were awak- 
ened and converted and leaving a few sheep in the wilderness, 
for such that whole country then was, he promised that if 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETl-l TO V;N 54 

possible, a preacher should be sent them. After spending 
some weeks along the western shore of Lake Champlain, he 
started, in company with a Mr. Kellogg, to return to his family 
by way of the Scroon woods to the head of Lake George and 
thence to Clifton Park. They spent several days in the woods, 
meeting with almost insurmountable obstructions. Their 
provisions failing them, they became exhausted and, attempt- 
ing in that state to ford the Scroon river upon horseback, Mr. 
Jacobs was drowned. His family were all converted ; three 
of his sons became ministers and two of his daughters mar- 
ried Methodist preachers, one of whom was the wife of the 
Rev. Dr. Luckey."^ 

In the spring of 1796, probably about the time Rev. Richard 
Jacobs, the Methodist pioneer preacher, came here the prom- 
inent members of the community came together and organized 
the Baptist Church, the centennial of which organization was 
celebrated April 7, 1896, the writer being the historian of the 
latter occasion. While the records remaining of those early 
days are meagre, it is undoubtedly true that schools and relig- 
ious affairs engaged the attention of our pioneers as soon as 
they settled here in Pleasant Valley. It is a fact conceded the 
world over that the early district schools scattered through- 
out the States wherever a few families had located were one 
of the prime causes of the general intelligence that has since 
pervaded all our communities. It is also a fact that the pio- 
neers of our country communities, standing on the same plane 
of life, holding the same hopes and aspirations, born of pov- 
erty and nurtured in that privation common to all, each feeling 
an impulse, dictated by the humanity that was sure to develop 
amid such surroundings, to assist his neighbor whenever and 

1 The data used above is from a reliable article in the New York Christian Advocate of 
May 20, 1836, and was furnished the writer by the Rev. Leigh Diefendorf, formerly of Eliz- 
abethtown, N. Y., now located in Williston, Vt. 



55 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

wherever assistauce was Deeded, realizing that he might any 
day become the grateful recipient of similar service, were also, 
in the main, a God fearing people. And those of the present 
generation have to thank God that they grew from such a 
solid, enduring foundation. 

In 1796 or shortly afterwards the Plattsburgh Circuit (Meth- 
odist) was organized. This Circuit extended from Ticoude- 
roga to Canada and Pleasant Valley was one of the preaching 
places, 

Ofgfanization of the Town of Elizabethtown. 

The year 1798 was also an eventful one io and around Pleas- 
ant Valley. In this year Piatt Rogers, pioneer road maker 
and once well off but a poor man in his last days, died in 
Plattsburgh, his mortal remains being taken to Basin Harbor 
for burial.^ 

It has been stated on the pages of history that Elizabeth- 
town was originally part of the town of Willsboro. How ab- 
surd the claim is will appear from the following act copied 
word for word from the bound volume of Session Laws for 
the year 1798. 

CHAP. 11. 

An Act for dividing the town of Crown Point. 

Passed the 12th of February, 1798. 

Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York, rep- 
resented in Senate and Assembly, That from and after the 
first Monday of April next, all that part of the town of Crown 

1 Piatt Rogers was one of the 12 patriarchs who founded Plattsburgh. He served in two 
Dutchess County, N. Y., regiments during the American Revolution, Col. Brinckerho£F's 
and Col. Hopkins, and in both regiments was in Captain BrinckerhofE's Company. Rogers 
Pond and Rogers Brook in Schroon were named after the great road maker. It is a regret- 
table fact that Piatt Rogers, he whose name was so inseparably connected with tbe early 
development of Pleasant Valley, was poor in his last years, so much so that the Sheriff "got 
after him," as early records in the Clinton County Clerk's office amply prove. 



HISTORY OP ELTZABSTHTOWN 56 

Point in the County of Clinton, within the following bounds, 
to -wit : beginninjjj at the northeast corner of a tract of land 
which was granted to Major Small, and then west along the 
north line of the said patent, and to continue in the same di- 
rection to the west bounds of the County, then north to the 
south line of the town of Jay, then east along the south line of 
the town of Jay and the town of Willsborough to the east line of 
the County of Clinton, then southerly along the east line of the 
said County to a due east point from the place of beginning, 
and then west to the place of beginning shall he and hereby is 
erected into a separate town by the name of Elizabeth Town, 
and the first town meeting shall be held at the dwelling house 
of David Calender in the said town. 

And be it further enacted that all the reiuainiug part of the 
town of Crown Point, shall be and remain a separate town by 
the name of Crown Point and tlie first town meeting shall be 
held at the dwelling house of Alexander Hay in the said town. 

And be it further enacted, Thnt the freeholders and iidiabit- 
ants of the said town shall be entitled to all the privileges and 
be subject to all the penalties which the freeholders and in- 
habitants of the other towns in this state are entitled and sub- 
ject to by law. 

And be it further enacted. That as soon as may be after 
the first Tuesday of April next tlie overseers of the poor, 
and the supervisors of the said town, shall after due notice be- 
ing given for tliat purpose by the supervisors of the said town, 
meet together and apportion the money and poor belonging 
to the said town of Crown-Point previous to the division 
thereof, in as equitable a manner as ma}' be, and in case the 
supervisors and overseers of the poor cannot agree in the di- 
vision of the money and poor as aforesaid, then the supervis- 
ors of the County of Clinton at their annual meeting shall 
make such division of the money and poor aforesaid as shall 



57 HISTORY OF ELTZABETHTOWN 

appear most equitable to the supervisors or a major part of 
them. 

Elizabetlitowu's first Snpei'visor was Ebeuezer Newell. 

Elizabethtown was so named after the wife aud dauprbter of 
William Gillilaud. It will be recalled that Mr. Gilliland's 
wife was Elizabeth Phagan in her maiden days. Her eldest 
daughter Elizabeth married Daniel Ross aud became the 
mother of William Dauiel Koss and Henry H. Ross of Essex. 
Charlotte, after whom Charlotte, Vt., was named, married 
Stephen Cuyler. A third daughter, Jane Willsboro, became 
the wife of John Bleecker of Albany. The pioneer Gilliland 
also left one son William, after whom Willsboro was named. 
Willian Gilliland, 2d., who lived on the patrimonial estate at 
the mouth of Salmon River in Clinton County which had been 
named Janesboro by the pioneer, died in 1847, leaving two 
sons, William and Henry Phagan Gilliland. The former's son, 
Henry Phagan Gilliland, 2d., is well-known here in Elizabeth- 
town, having read law in the late Judge Robert S. Hale's of- 
fice in the latter 70s and being a resident of Plattsburgh at the 
present time. Other descendants of William Gilliland, the 
pioneer settler of Essex County, will be mentioned farther 
along in this work. 

Elizabethtown at organization embraced practically all the 
territory comprized in the present township of that name and 
also that which has been known as Westport since 1815. 

Shortly after the organization of the town of Elizabethtown 
there came in among our grand old hills a man whose family 
name has ever since been prominent here. Reference is here 
made to Azel Abel, Elizabethtown's first hotel keeper. Azel 
Abel had formerly lived in Massachusetts and served bravely 
as an officer on the side of the Colonists during the Ameri- 
can Revolution. Immediately after leaving Massachusetts 




VALENTIN E KELLOGG, 

Participant in the Battle of Plattsbtirgh and One of 

Elizabethtown's Pioneer Shoemakers. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 60 

Azel Abel lived for a tioie at Orvvel!, Vt, aufl there bis son 
Oliver was born in 1789. 

Search in the records of the Cliutou County Clerk's office, 
Book of Deeds B, page 184, shows that on September 11, 1798, 
Azel Abel bought land from Noah Ferris, (he of local Noah's 
Ark fame) the purchase embracing All aud singular that tract 
and parcel of land lying and being in the town of Elizabeth in 
the County of Clinton aud State of New York, said land is in 
a small patent lately granted to Flatt Rogers & Co. for three 
thousand seven hundred acres of land aud is a part of a lot 
known in a subdivision of said patent by lot No. 12, Bounded 
as followeth : Beginning at a stake nineteen chains and five 
links south of the northwest corner of said lot, thence running 
south twenty five chains and 12 links to the west branch, then 
south 70 degrees east fifteen rods, then north 70 degrees east 
six rods, then north 40 degrees 30 minutes east 12 rods, then 
north 10 degrees west nine rods, then north 30 degrees east 
six rods, then running down said branch until to or near the 
main river, then east to the east line of said lot, then north 
nineteen chains and five links to a stake, then west thirty 
nine chains and forty links to the place begun at, containing 
eighty acres and thirty eight rods of land. 

The consideration for the parcel of land described on the 
north bank of the brauoli or Little Boquet was 43 pounds. 
Upon this piece of laud, between where Maplewood Inn now 
stands and the Little Boquet, Azel Abel put up a rude log 
building which served as EHzabethtown's first hotel. 

Azel Abel was twice married. His children were Oliver, 
James, Benjamin, Charles, Polly, Eunice, Betsey and Lucretia. 

Oliver Abel married twice, his first wife being Polly Post, a 
daughter of Dr. Asa Post. His second wife was Almina Bar- 
num, formerly of Vermont. Oliver Abel's children were 
Charles L. Abel, who settled in Buffalo, N. Y., 60 years ago. 



61 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

marrying and raising a large family there. He is still living, 
being in the 86th year of his age. Inasmuch as he is a loyal 
son of Elizabethtown, it will not be out of place to state here 
that he loaned the United States Government $10,000 at the 
time of the late civil war, being one of the first men in the 
State of New York to respond to the call for loans. 

Sally Angelina Abel married Jason Pangborn and moved to 
Maquoketa, la. 

Leander Abel married Emily Williams. Their daughter, 
Miss Alice E, Abel, is teacher in the Primary Department of 
the Elizabethtown High School. Leander Abel died"January 
28, 1903, in the 78th year of his age. 

Oliver Abel, Jr., married Mary Adams, daughter of Elisha 
Adams, formerly County Clerk and Sheriff of Essex County. 
Oliver Abel, Jr., studied law, served as Post Master of Eliz- 
abethtown during the civil war period and was Essex County 
Treasurer from January 1, 1873, to December 31, 1881, inclu- 
sive. The children of Oliver and Mary Abel were Wm. H. 
Abel who married Lucinda C. Pond, Anna B. Abel who mar- 
ried Samuel I. Koberts, Mary F. Abel, Helen D. Abel and 
Marguerite Abel, all of whom now reside in the west. Oliver 
Abel, Jr., died May 30, 1892. 

Mary Abel married Charles N. Williams. Their children 
are Jennie M. and Clara Williams. 

Henry Abel married Annette Baker and went to Fayette, 
la., where he still resides. 

Adelaide Victoria Abel, who never married. 

James Abel married and lived on Lot No. 9, Rogers patent. 

Benjamin Abel went away from Elizabethtown in early life. 

Charles Abel married Polly Brainard. 

Eunice Abel married Samson Smith. 

Betsey Abel married Nathan Nichols. Their children were 
Harriet, Willis, Elizabeth, Mason and Eunice. 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BET BTOWN 62 

Lncretia Abel married Alexander MacDougal. Their chil- 
dren were Mary, Harriet, Isabelle, Loaise, Alexander, Martin 
Van Buren, Charles Stuart, Ann, William Wallace, Robert 
Bruce and Jennie. 

Indian Occupation of Pleasant Valley. 

When Azel Abel came to Pleasant Valley and built his log 
hotel on the bank of the Little Boquet River there were as 
many Indians in Elizabethtown as there were white men. 
Azel Abel's son Oliver, who was a boy nine years old when his 
father moved here, has often told the writer about the Indi- 
ans and their occupation of Pleasant Valley. This section of 
Northern New York was inhabited by an Indian nation of 
Algonquin lineage.^ The Iroquois were the conquerors of the 
New World so far as Indians were concerned and were justly 
styled "The Romans of the West." The Jesuit Father Rague- 
neau in his Relations des Hurous wrote "My pen has no ink 
black enough to describe the fury of the Iroquois." A large 
portion of this region has always been and, in the economies 
of the civilization that surrounds it, will always be under the 
dominion of Nature. Here it has always been severely cold 
and forbidding in winter and it is recorded that way back of 
the memory of white men, those wild rovers of the country of 
the Saguenay, who subsisted entirely by the chase, were often 
during the long winter, when their game grew scarce, driven 
by hunger into the depths of our forests and compelled to live 
for many weeks together upon the buds and bark and some- 
times even upon the wood of forest trees. This led their 
hereditary enemies, the more prosperous Iroquois who dwelt in 
palisaded villages and had cultivated fields in their more favored 
sections, raising an abundance of corn, beans, squashes and to- 

1 Nathaniel Bartlett Sylvester in Northern New York and the Adirondack Wilderness, 
page I J. 



63 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

bacco, called their less fortunate brethreo, iu mockery of their 
condition, Ad-i-ron-dacks or tree eaters.^ This Iroquois name 
of an Algonquin tribe, thus born in derision, iias come to be ap- 
plied to all of Northern New York where mountains are found. 
Since the Jesuit Relations others have made a study along 
the line of Adirondack Indians and have concluded that the 
greater part of the Indians inhabiting this region were killed 
off before occupation by the white man. The writer quotes 
from a hitherto unpublished poem, on Essex Count}', as fol- 
lows : 

"'Twas thine to have witness'd, through centuries Iod^'", 
Dread strife of the Red meo ; what vengeance the strong 
Could inflict on the weak, till they became slaves, 
And perish 'd from earth un honor 'd by graves, 
Or even a sign of traditional fame 
Saving one, the insult they bore in their name. 
When the first White man came, the Sieur de Champlaia, 
To thy shore on the east, the ancient domain 
Of the Iroquois here held its northerly line, 
Mark'd by rude hacks on the tall raountaiu pine. 
On this fateful line the watch-fires were liofhted, 
And braves in the war-dance new fealiy plighted, 
And o'er it one step no Algonquin dare g'o 
Unless he would meet with a fierce Mohawk foe. 
'Mid thy wild, rugged hills, so peaceful to-da.y. 
The war-whoop oft echo'd from stern, bloody fray, 
And the stones in the vales would tell, could they speak, 
How savage, in fury, his vengeance could wreak ; 
What fate, sudden, awful, one hardy tribe met 
Which pass'd o'er the limits the Iroquois set ; 
How hundreds came up on the Lake for the fight. 
How few, that fled back through the woods in the night, 
Wandered in cold, without game, denied fruits, 
And starv'd till they ate of the trees, like the brutes. 
And bore, from thenceforth, degredation's low mark, 
The "Ha de ron dacks, " meaning "Eaters of bark." 
Be this legend, tradition, or tale hand'd down 
By the last of his race, 'tis all the renown 
That stricken tribe left in its woe and lament — 
No history tells whence the}' came, where they went." 

1 Jesuit Relations. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 64 

When Azel Abel built his log hotel between the bank of the 
Little Boquet River and where Maplewood Inn now stands 
there was a collection of Indian wigwams on the opposite side 
of the stream, under the bank where the Post Office block is 
located. Up where the John Barton homestead is located 
there was another collection of wigwams. On the north side 
of the stream to-day known as Barton Brook there was then 
(1798) a well worn Indian trail, a path of a foot or more in 
wddth and several inches in depth. This well-worn path com- 
menced just above where Azel Abel's log inn stood and con- 
tinued up to the Indian village located on what is spoken of 
to-day as the John Barton homestead. The late Oliver Abel, 
Sr., often described this Indian trail to the writer and as the 
description is recalled it seems to agree substantially with that 
given of an Indian trail in Morgan's League of the Iroquois. 
Young Abel used to go up the Barton Brook trail with Indian 
boys from the wigwams on the opposite side of the river from 
his father's log hotel. One day while on a visit to the Indian 
village where the Barton homestead is now located he got his 
first glimpse of a papoose. The Indian babe cried loudly and 
young Abel, to use his own words, "ran home as fast as possi- 
ble," being thoroughly scared. There was then no structure 
inhabited by a white man between Azel Abel's inn and Stephen 
Boscoe's saw-mill settlement where Lobdell Brothers are now 
operating. 

According to the late Oliver Abel, Sr., the Adirondack In- 
dians, while they never forgave an injury, never forgot a kind- 
ness, and were good natured, easy going fellows, given to the 
chase almost entirely. Thej' used stone mortars and other 
utensils of their own invention. They hunted with bows and ar- 
rows mostly and were successful. Oliver Abel, Sr., used to 
relate an incident which the writer readily recalls at this time. 
One day after his mother had broiled a piece of meat she put 



65 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

it aside to cool.^ While attending to her other work in con- 
nection with getting dinner a dog belonging to one of the In- 
dian neighbors across the river relieved her of the cooked 
meat. She saw the dog getting away with the meat and was 
angry. The next time she saw the Indian who owned the dog 
she told him she would scald the cur if he touched any more 
of her meat. To her angry threat the Indian calmly replied : 
"You no scald my dog. Me pay you back meat." The next 
day the Indian went out and killed a deer, making his word 
good by giving Mrs. Abel a quarter of venison, a payment of 
both principal and interest. 

There were other Indians in Pleasant Valley beside those 
mentioned. Near the present residence of Alonzo W. Still in 
the Boquet Valley ample evidence of former Indian occupa- 
tion has been observed by the writer within the past 30 years, 
arrow heads, etc., having frequently been found there. 

The Indians, however, who were numerous here a little over 
a century ago, gradually fell back before the advancing wave 
of civilization. "He will not," says Parkman of the Indian, 
"learn the arts of civilization and he and his forest must per- 
ish together. The stern unchanging features of his mind ex- 
cite our admiration from their very immutability ; and we 
look with deep interest on the fate of this irreclaimable son of 
the wilderness, the child who will not be weaned from the 
breast of his rugged mother. And our interest increases when 
we discern in the unhappy wanderer the germs of heroic vir- 
tues mingled among his vices, — a hand bountiful to bestow as 
it is rapacious to seize, and even in extremest famine, impart- 
ing its last morsel to a fellow sufferer ; a heart which, strong 
in friendship as in hate, thinks it not too much to lay down 
life for its chosen comrade ; a soul true to its own idea of 

1 The old home-made broiler upon which that piece of meat was co»ked has been in pos* 
session of the writer for several years. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 66 

honor and burning with an unquenchable thirst for greatness 
and renown. 

The imprisoned lion in the showman's cage differs not more 
widely from the lord of the desert, than the beggarly frequenter 
of frontier garrisons and dramshops differs from the proud 
denizen of the woods. It is in his native wilds alone that the 
Indian must be seen and studied." 

With this faithful portrayal from the pen of Francis Park- 
man, that greatest delineator of Indian character, as given on 
page 44, of volume 1, of The Conspiracy of Pontiac, which cor- 
responds with our idea of the Adirondack Indian as handed 
down by the late Oliver Abel, Sr., the writer dismisses the 
"noble red man," who once fished the streams and hunted the 
forests of Pleasant Valley, enjoying his natural birthright to 
his heart's content. 



67 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 



Ofgfanization of Essex County* 

Oh, County of Essex, stern land of the North, 
Disfavor'd and rudest New York has brought forth. 
Of sixty-one parts of the broad Empire State 
What other, like thee, has so struofgl'd with fate. 
Not one so rough made, as though Nature would doom, 
And none so long linger'd in mystr'y and gloom. 

Essex County was set off from Clinton County by act of the 
New York Legislature March 1, 1799, as is shown by the fol- 
lowing act copied word for word from the bound volume of 
Session Laws for the year 1799 : 



CHAR 24. 

An Act to divide the County of Clinton. 

Passed the 1st of March, 1799. 

Be it enacted by the People of the State of New York rep- 
resented in Senate and Assembly, That all that part of the 
County of Clinton lying south of a line beginning at the south 
west corner of the town of Peru, and running from thence 
easterly along the south line of said town until it intersects the 
great river Ausable, from thence down the said river along the 
north bank thereof, until it comes to the forks of said river, 
and from thence along the north bank of the south branch of 
said river until it strikes Lake Champlain, and from thence 
due east to the east bounds of the State of New York, shall be 
and hereby is set off and erected into a new County by the 
name of Essex : And the freeholders and inhabitants of the 
said county shall have and enjoy within the same, all and 




CAPTAIN JOHN CALKIN, 
of Battle of Plattsburgh Fame> Surrogate of Essex County I82I-I83I. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 70 

singular the rights, powers and privileges, as the freeholders 
and inhabitants of the other counties within this state are b}^ 
law entitled to have and enjoy. 

And be it further enacted, that all the remaining part of 
the said county shall be and continue a separate county by 
the name of Clinton. 

And be it fuither enacted that there shall be held at the 
Court House in Plattsburgh in and for the said county of Chn- 
ton three terms of a court of common pleas, and two terms of 
a court of general sessions of the peace in every year, to com- 
mence and end on the days following to wit, one terra of the 
court of common pleas and one term of the court of general 
sessions of the peace to commence on the first Tuesday in May 
and end on the Saturday following ; one other term of the 
said court to commence on the first Tuesday in October and 
end on the Saturday following ; and one other term of the court 
of common pleas to commence on the third Tuesday in Janu- 
ary and end on the Saturday following. 

And be it further enacted, that there shall be held at the block 
house in the town of Willsborough in and for the said County 
of Essex, three terms of the court of common pleas, and two 
terms of the court of general sessions of the peace, in every 
year, to commence and end on the days following, to wit, one 
term of the court of common pleas and one term of the court 
of general sessions of the peace to commence on the second 
Tuesday in May, and end on the Saturday following ; one other 
term of the said court to commence on the last Tuesday in 
September, and end on the Saturday following ; and one other 
term of the court of common pleas to commence on the second 
Tuesday in January, and end on the Saturday following. Pro- 
vided that in any of the terms aforesaid, the court may adjourn 
previous to the day assigned, if the business thereof will admit. 

And be it further enacted, that all that part of the town of 



71 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Peru, which is by this act made a part of the County of Essex, 
shall be annexed to and become a part of the town of Wills- 
borough. 

And be it further enacted, That the block house in the town 
of Willsborough in the County of Essex, shall when completed 
be deemed to be the goal of the said County until another suf- 
ficient goal shall be erected in and for the same ; and until 
sufficient provision can be made in the premises it shall be 
lawful to and for the Sheriff of the said county at his discre- 
tion, to commit any of his prisoners to the goal of the county 
of Washington, there to be detained until they shall be legally 
discharged. 

And be it further enacted, that until other provision be 
made by law, the freeholders and inhabitants of the said county 
of Essex, shall give their votes for one member of the assembly 
in the same manner as if this law had not been passed ; and 
the votes taken in the said county of Essex at each election 
for member of assembly, shall be delivered by the clerk of the 
said county, to any of the supervisors thereof who shall carry 
the same to the clerk of the county of Clinton without delay, 
to be delivered by him to any one of the supervisors of the said 
county of Clinton on the last Tuesday in May in every year ; 
and the same together with the votes taken in the county of 
Clinton at any such election shall be canvassed by the super- 
visors of the county of Clinton, and by such of the supervisors 
as may attend for that purpose from the county of Essex. 

The block house in the town of Willsborough stood in what is 
now the village of Essex. This block house is said to have 
been erected as a means of protection in consequence of Gen- 
eral St. Clair's defeat by the Indians in the west. It was 
feared that the western Indians would combine with the Six 
Nations (Iroquois Confederacy) and the scenes of the older 
frontiers be repeated in the Champlain Valley. This block 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BET HTOVVN 72 

house was used as a Couoty Building for about 10 years, after 
which it was taken down. Some of the timbers taken from 
this block house were used in the construction of a large barn 
which stands on the General Henry H. Eoss place in Essex 
village. The writer personally inspected these old timbers 
about five years ago, being accompanied on the tour of inspec- 
tion by Henry Harmon Noble of Essex. 

Following is a list of the first officers appointed for Essex 
County, the original commission being on file in the Essex 
County Clerk's office : 

The People of the State of New York, by the Grace of God, 
Free and Independent : To Daniel Ross, Asa Adgate and Roger 
Alden Hiern, Esquires, Judges, and Stephen Cuyler, Esquire, 
Clerk of the County of Essex, Greeting .****** 

Greeting. Know ye, That we reposing especial trust and 
confidence in your loyalty and integrity, Bave thought fit to 
appoint you and We Do hereby give and grant you and each 
of you, jointly and severall}^ full power and authority to ten- 
der and administer unto all and every Officer and Officers, civil 
and military, appointed or elected or to be appointed or 
elected, for our said county, the several oaths required by law 
to be taken by the said Officers respectively ; and to receive 
from said Officers their several subscriptions to the said oaths 
respectively. In Testimony whereof, We have caused these 
letters to be made patent, and the great seal of our said State 
to be hereunto affixed. Witness our trusty and well beloved 
John Jay, Esquire, Governor of our said State, General and 
Commander in Chief of all the Militia and Admiral of the Navy of 
the Same (by and with the advice and consent of our Council 
of Appointment, by them given, the day of the date hereof) 
at the city of Albany on the Ninth day of March in the year of 



73 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

our Lord one thousand seven hundred and niuety-nine and in 
the twenty-third year of our Independence. 

JOHN JAY. 
Passed the Secretary of State's Office the 9th day of March, 
1799. 

DANIEL HALE, Sec'ry. 

Isaac Kellogg, John Morhouse, Jr., and Ebenezer Newell, 
Esquires, were also appointed Assistant Justices of the Court 
of Common Pleas by John Jay March 9, 1799. 

In the list of appointments given the sons-in-law of Wm. 
Gilliland, the pioneer settler of Essex County, fared well. 
Daniel Koss, First Judge of the old Court of Common Pleas, 
married Elizabeth Gilliland, eldest daughter of Wm. Gilliland, 
Sr., in 1785. Daniel Ross came from Dutchess County, N. Y. 
Daniel Ross and Elizabeth, his wife, became the parents of 
William D. Ross and Henry H. Ross of Essex. It was Daniel 
Ross who built the house in the northern part of the village of 
Essex which is to-day known as the William R. Derby house, 
said to be the oldest occupied dwelling in Essex County. 

Stephen Cuyler, first Essex County Clerk, married Charlotte 
Gilliland. Stephen Cuyler and Charlotte, his wife, became the 
parents of Edward S. Cuyler, who was Essex County Clerk 
from 1833 to 1839. Stephen Gilliland Cuyler, James Cuyler 
and Mrs. Charlotte Bower of Chicago, 111., are sons and daugh- 
ter of Edward S. Cuyler. Richard W. S. Cuyler of Guinda, 
Cal., is also a surviving sou of Edward S. Cuyler, whose wife 
was Emily Parkill in her maiden days. 

Ebenezer Newell was serving as Supervisor of Elizabethtown 
when Essex County was organized in the spring of 1799. The 
other town officers at that time are said to have been as fol- 
lows : Town Clerk, SylvanusLobdell ; Assessors, Jacob South- 
well, David Calender, Norman Newell ; Overseers of the Poor, 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 74 

Jonathan Breckinridge, Hezekiab Barber ; Constable and Col- 
lector, Nathan Lewis ; Constable, Thomas Hinckley ; School 
Commissioners, E. Newell, William Kellogg, Hezekiah Bar- 
ber ; Overseers of Highwais (Nuii)lH>red from one to ten) John 
Santy, N. Hinckley, John Potter, S. Lobdell, Joseph Durand, 
Simeon Durand, Jacob Seture, Joseph Pangborn, E. Newell, 
Stephen Eldridge. Fence Viewers, Hezekiah Barber, Elijah 
Bishop, Elijah Rich. Inspectors of Election, Eben'r Newell, 
Sylvauus Lobdell, David Calender. Clerks, Norman Newell, 
Eben'r Bostwick. 

This list contains a representative from every section of the 
town settled at that time. A glance at the list reveals some 
family names which have ever since been prominent in the his- 
tory of the town and some of which are connected with official 
life here to-day. 

Shortly after the organization of Essex County there came 
to Pleasant Valley a man who had married into one of the 
first families in New York State. Reference is here made to 
Theodorus Ross who had married Elizabeth Van Rensselaer 
and brought his blue blooded bride here to dwell among our 
grand old hills. Born to affluence and ease, one whose name 
was connected with the Patroon, the charming bride of Theo- 
dorus Ross turned her back on the social environments of one 
of the first families of the land and came to reside in Pleasant 
Valley, their home being on the Plain in what is now Eliz- 
abethtown village. To-day no power of fancy can restore to 
us — sober-clad, pre-occupied, democratic people that we are — 
the flashing glories of the rank, beauty and worth to which 
Elizabeth (Van Rensselaer) Ross bade adieu when she came 
to make her home here in the seclusion of our heavily forested 
valley. 

The great and only General Philip Schuyler, one of the 
grandest men in the world's history, it will be recalled, married 



75 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

"Sweet Kitty Van Rensselaei'" and their daughter Elizabeth 
Schnyler became the wife of Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of 
the Treasury under President Washington. Many were the 
distinguished guests who were entertained by the Van Rens- 
selaers along the pastoral banks of the Upper Hudson in those" 
palmy days before Elizabeth Van Rensselaer became Mrs- 
Theodorus Ross. Washington, the Livingstons, Benjamin 
Franklin and LaFayette had enjoyed the hospitality of the 
Van Rensselaers in those days and afterwards the memory of 
it was pleasant to them. Indeed, the scenes to which Mrs. 
Elizabeth Ross was familiar in her young and tender years 
belong to a dead century and faded generation and we of the 
present age strive in vain to reproduce, even in fancy. 

Theodorus Ross was a brother of Judge Daniel Ross before 
mentioned and he became interested in business enterprises 
here in Elizabethtowu soon after the formation of Essex 
County. Theodorus Ross himself, who had married one of 
the choicest of earth's maidens, is said to have had a selfish 
disposition and arrogant mien. 

Daniel Ross served as First Judge of the old Essex County 
Court of Common Pleas for 23 years. The Ross brothers, 
Daniel and Theodorus, did considerable business in Elizabeth- 
town for several years after the organization of Essex County. 
A grist-mill was erected on the south side of the Little Boquet 
River, the site being that of the store now occupied by Harry 
H. Nichols. In fact the frame of the front part of the store 
occupied by Mr. Nichols is the identical frame erected by "the 
Rosses" over a century ago. The old wooden flume, conveying 
water for power, came from the Little Boquet across under 
the street in front of where the Robert B. Dudley law office 
now stands and thence along in front of where the T. B. Pierce 
block is now located. Alonzo McD. Finney, who is now in 
his 90th year, remembers when the Ross grist-mill was in op- 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 76 

eration and the old wooden flume is still in his mini's eye, al- 
though it fell into disuse shortly after 1830. This old flume, 
according to the only man now living here who can remember 
it, was built of wood and was square in form, similar to the 
flume afterwards used at the Noble tannery in this village. 

Across the street from the Ross grist-mill was a store, also 
kept by "the Rosses," who had control of considerable land 
along the Little Boquet River and also on the Plain. It is 
said that Daniel Ross was instrumental in building the first 
saw-mill in the south end of the township, in the section mod- 
ernly known as Euba Mills. 

"The Rosses" also ran a whiskey distillery, which stood near 
where the T. B. Pierce block now stands. This plant was not 
operated any to speak of after the freshet of July, 1830. 

Theodorus Ross and Elizabeth Van Rensselaer Ross had 
two sons — Van Rensselaer and Gansevoort — and a daughter 
Sarah Ann, all of whom grew up here in Elizabethtown. 

Another man who came to Elizabethtown about the time 
Essex County was organized or at least shortly after organiz- 
tion was effected, was Jonas Morgan, Sr. Jonas Morgan, Sr., 
came into this section from Lausiugburgh, Rensselaer County, 
N. Y., and probably knew the Van Rensselaers and Rosses be- 
fore he came this wa^'. March 26, 1799, Jonas Morgan, Sr., 
received a patent from the State of New York of part of a 
4,800 acre tract of land, then all within the township of Eliz- 
abethtown, which tract was subsequently divided into 46 lots, 
the greater number of which are now in Westport, the territory 
having been set off from Elizabethtown in 1815. Two other 
tracts were subsequently granted to Jonas Morgan, Sr., who 
built a forge on Lot No. 7, of Morgan's original patent. This 
was the first forge built along the Black River and is said to 
have been the first forge erected in Elizabethtown. It stood 
on the Elizabethtown side of the Black River, as the town line 



77 HISTORY OF ELTZABETHTOWN 

now runs, and afterward came to be known as the lower forge. 
This foroe Mr. Morgan sold to Jacob Southwell and it was 
afterwards called the Southwell forge. The writer thinks it 
only proper to state here that Jonas Morgan of Morgan's pat- 
ent fame had a sou also named Jonas, hence there were two 
Jonas Morgans, Jonas, Sr., and Jonas, Jr., a fact now stated 
in history for the first time. Jonas Morgan, Jr., was a busi- 
ness man and, like his father, dealt considerably in wild land 
along the Black River, etc. 

Another man who came to Pleasant Valley about the year 
1799 was Jonas Gibbs, Sr. He settled on the Plain in what is 
now Elizabethtown village and soon after settling here had a 
whiskey distillery in operation. His distillery stood down 
under the bank and a little south from the present residence 
of Chaides C. Oldruff. Jonas Gibbs, Sr., is said to have been a 
money maker. Whether be made any extra money out of 
watering his stock is not known to the writer. However, cer- 
tain it is that he became forehanded, a money lender and a 
holder of mortgages, etc. He died in April, 1822, aged 84 
years and was buried just east of where the pine tree now 
stands in the old cemetery at the southern end of this village, 
his last resting place being but a few rods distant from the 
site of his once thriving "still." 

Sarah, wife of Jonas Gibbs, Sr., died in 1819, and her mor- 
tal remains also rest under the shade of the pine tree which 
has grown up in the old cemetery within the memory of living 
men. A daughter, Abigail Hinckley, erected the stone at the 
grave of Mrs. Jonas Gibbs, Sr. 

Jonas Gibbs, Jr., evidently came here when his father set- 
tled on the Plain, as his name is frequently found on the early 
records in the Essex County Clerk's office. The given name 
of the wife of Jonas Gibbs, Jr., was Rachel, according to sig- 
natures on record in the Essex County Clerk's office. Jonas 




HON. BENJAMIN POND. 

Photographed by C. Underwood from "Wax Profile made in 

Washington, D. C, before War of 1 8 12. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 80 

Gibbs, Jr., must have at least owned property in the town of 
Lewis, if he did not actually reside there, as early as 1806. A 
list of persons — owners of property, liable to work on the high- 
ways and the number of days each person was assessed for the 
year 1806 — is still preserved in the archives of the town of 
Lewis and it shows that Jonas Gibbs, Jr., was down for 6 days. 

About this time John Halstead and his wife Phebe Rogers 
Halstead settled in that part of Elizabethtown then known as 
Northwest Ba}^ now Westport village. May 28, 1800, accord- 
ing to a map drawn by Ananias Rogers, a brother of Phebe 
Rogers Halstead and a son of Piatt Rogers, the famous 
road maker, there were thirty-four small lots and three 
streets — Washington, Libert}^ and Water — in what is now West- 
port village. John Halstead built the first frame house where 
the village of Westport is now located. It has been described 
as "a low red house." This famous Halstead house stood 
upon the lot now occupied by Westport Inn. At the time of 
the erection of the John Halstead house there were only two 
or three log houses where Westport village stands. 

John Halstead and Phebe, his wife, had eight children, all 
of whom died young except two, Piatt Rogers Halstead and 
Caroline Eliza Halstead. Piatt Rogers Halstead was a sur- 
veyor and is well remembered by some of the older people 
who reside in Elizabethtown. Caroline Eliza Halstead was 
the only one of the eight children who ever married, her hus- 
band being Miles McFarlaud Sawyer. She died in Bedford, 
N. Y., March 27, 1870, in the 61st year of her age. 

The late Hon. Winslow C. Watson stated on page 208 of his 
History of Essex County : "Essex County voted with Clinton, 
until after the census of 1800. Thomas Stower was the first 
representative of Essex, when voting independent of Clinton." 

At this time a steady current of emigration was setting in 
from the east into Essex County, while from the south the in- 



81 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

flux was almost as great. And here it may truthfully be Sfiid 
that the good old New England stock, about which so much 
has been said in cotnrnendation, was fully equaled in intelli- 
gence and morality by those who came from along the Hudson 
River. The early inhabitants of central Essex County, in a 
congenial soil and climate, familiar to their habits and expe- 
riences, implanted the usages aud characteristics of patriotic 
and eminently estimable ancestry. No portion of the great 
Empire State ever embraced a population of higher intelli- 
gence, of purer morality, or more industrious aud frugal habits, 
generally speaking, than the pioneer settlers of central Essex 
County. Of course, among the many virtuous aud worthy, 
there inevitably drifted in from more mature communities, a 
few of the loose and reckless. However, so far as records go, 
it is evident that those who did not walk straight were given a 
wide berth and soon learned to their chagrin that their room 
would be preferable to their company. 

"By the census of 1800," says Watson, "the combined popu- 
lation of Clinton aud Essex counties, was eight thousand five 
hundred and seventy-two, including fifty-eight slaves." And 
right here, while it may shock the moral sense of those who 
were born and nurtured in homes of Abolitionists, the writer, 
who is recording /acfe of histoiy, hewing to the line no matter 
where the chips fall, will certainly be pardoned for stating 
that a portion of the "fifty-eight slaves" mentioned by Watson 
toiled here in Pleasant Valley, their masters being "the 
Kosses." 

Ebenezer Newell, who lived in the Northwest Bay section 
of Elizabethtown, also served as Supervisor through the year 
1800. The Inspectors for the year 1800 were Eben'r Newell, 
Norman Newell, Eben'r Bostwick, Sylvanus Lobdell. 

It is a regrettable fact that the early town records are not 
in such shape that all the town officers may be named. The 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETBTOWN 82 

fact is, the book containing the list of those officials who 
served during the first few years of the town's history cannot, 
after diligent search, be found (a painful commentary on the 
care taking of official records) and the few names of town of- 
ficials given are gleaned from records in the Essex County 
Clerk's office. 

One of the first needs of every pioneer community has ever 
been roads over which the settlers might communicate with 
each other and the outside world. Roads to the village, 
where supplies could be obtained and whither the products 
of the farm could he carried and traded for store goods such 
as were obtainable ; roads for social and other visits between 
neighbors ; roads to accommodate the lumber interest and the 
pioneer forges— these were what were needed in early days 
more, perhaps, than anv other improvement and their improve- 
ment is to-day the crying need of our mountainous section. 

As early as 1800 a highway was ordered laid out "from the 
bridge by Azel Abel's on the west side, thence northerly on 
the south side of the branch about 20 rods, from thence across 
the branch in a northerly direction on the north side of the 
branch threw the land of Eliza Rich, nearly to the line be- 
tween s'd Rich and Thomas Squires, from thence to the dug- 
way by Thomas Squires' house, from thence westerly about 1.00 
rods, from thence north through the notch in the hill about 30 
rods, from thence westerly till it strikes the road that is now 
traveled from the north to Stephen Rusco's mill." 

Readers familiar with Ehzabethtown village will readily rec- 
ognize the above described road as "Water Street" and the 
road to Barton's and from thence up the "Sand Hill," etc. 

In the same year (1800) another highway was laid out, which 
is thus described : "From the road now traveled to Wills- 
borough to Stephen Rusco's saw-mill, beginning at a corner 
on the Willsborough road on land of Major Jonathan Breckin- 



83 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

ridge about 80 rods north of s'd Breckiorid_o;e's saw-mill, from 
thence on a westerly direction as the road is now traveled 
through Rop;er H. Woodruff's improvements aud on through 
s'd Woodruff's land, thence on nearly as the road is now trav- 
eled to Henry Kno(ujlton's house, thence on in A westerly di- 
rection threw s'd Kno(u)lton's land as the road is now traveled 
to Simon Rusco's house, from thence nearly as the road is now 
traveled to Stephen Rusco's saw-mill," Henry Knoulton and 
Azel Abel being named Commissioners to lay out this road. 

The above described road is the one leading from a point 
just above "The Windsor Farm Fish Pond" across to the 
Nichols neighborhood in the town of Lewis, etc. 

Henry Knoulton was the father of Ruth Knoulton men- 
tioned on page 47 and it was after him that the "Knoulton 
Brook" in the town of Lewis was named. 

"Major Jonathan Breckinridge" lived on the farm in the 
town of Lewis now owned by Orlando Kellogg, proprietor of 
The Windsor, Elizabethtown's largest hotel. According to 
the best obtainable information "Major Jonathan Breckin- 
ridge" had a saw-mill on the "Knoulton Brook," now known 
as Phelps Brook, said mill being located just a few rods below 
and east of "The Windsor Farm Fish Pond" of the present day. 
This saw-mill was unquestionably the first one ever erected on 
territory now within the town of Lewis. "Major Jonathan 
Breckinridge" sold the premises to Luman Wadhams (after- 
wards General Wadhams) early in the 19th century. General 
Wadhams was a resident of the town of Lewis at the time of 
the War of 1812 and in fact till about 1820. His son — Edgar 
Priudle Wadhams — afterwards famous as Bishop Wadhams 
(Catholic) of the Diocese of Ogdensburgh was born in 1819 in 
the house which still stands on that old farm. 

Roger Hooker Woodruff lived at the time this road was laid 
out on the farm next above the Breckenridge place, having 



f 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 84 

settled there and made improvements before 1800. He died 
in the house where John Soper. the Lewis Highway Commis- 
siouer, lives to-day. Roger Hooker Woodruff had a large 
family of sons and daughters. One of the latter became the 
mother of the late Colonel LaRhett L. Livingston (West Point 
Military Academy) of the U. S. Army, another became the 
mother of Bovette B. Bishop, Esq., of Moriah, and last, but 
not least, one of the daughters married Orlando Kellogg, the 
distinguished lawyer and legislator who so long and ably rep- 
resented this district in Congress at Washington, D. C. 

It is said that the wide 1st growth pine boards nailed to the 
fence posts in the Woodruff-Steele district of the town of 
Lewis, as well as those used in the construction of the batns 
on the Steele farm, were sawed at the old Breckenridge mill 
on the "Knoulton Brook." This old saw-mill stood just below 
the highway. 

The following, copied word for word, spelling and all, shows 
thatElizabethtown was not without that necessary pioneer in- 
stitution, a pound : 

"Pound — To be bilt at the Dwelling House of Jonas 
Gibbs thirty feet Square with a good dore Hinges and Lock, 
to be bilt by the first of June next and if the Person that shall 
agree to build it Doth Neglect shall forfit the sum to the 
amount he agrees to Build it for. 

Jonas Gibbs to build s'd Pound thirty feet square for ten 
Dollars and fifty cents. Jonas Gibbs pound Keeper." 

"Law of all fences, four feet sis inches high." 

Jonas Gibbs is said to have lived about 25 years in a house 
which stood on land now owned bj W. M. Marvin. 

In 1800 there came to reside in Elizabethtown a man who 
at once became highly useful and who lived here continuously 
for over half a century, until his death in 1852. The man 
here referred to is Dr. Alexander Morse, who married Mary Nich- 



85 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

olson(Nickolsou, as it is spelled in the Mors© genealogy.) The 
wife of Dr. Alexander Morse died of apoplexy here in Eliz- 
abethtown. Their children were Percival, Ainnia, Flavia, 
John D. and Austin, the two latter dying with consunaption, 
aged 22 and 21 respectively. 

Percival Morse graduated from Vermont University in the 
class of 1827, studied law and helped edit a newspaper here. 
He married Lavina Graves Feb. 1, 1831. Their children were 
Irving D., Austin Alexander, George Percival, John D., and 
Elizabeth L. Percival Morse lived in a plastered house which 
stood near where Judge Rowland C. Kellogg's driveway leaves 
the street. Percival Morse died with consumption April 17, 
1841, being much lamented as a scholarly man. 

A brother of Dr. Alexander Morse, Dr. Alpheus Morse, also 
lived for many years in Essex County. He was for a time lo- 
cated at what was once famous in the history of the town of 
Essex — The Cobb Stand — and afterwards practiced medicine 
in the town of Jay. He married twice, his first wife being 
Jemima Nicholson, the marriage taking place Nov. 5, 1794. 
The oldest child of Dr. Alpheus Morse and his wife Jemima was 
Maria, born at Dorset, Vt., July 7, 1795. A son Ralza, born 
Oct. 18, 1797, married Samantlia Holcomb April 23, 1823, and 
afterwards resided in the town of Lewis. A son of Ralza 
Morse, Alpheus A. Morse, Esq., resides in the town of Essex 
and a daughter, Mrs. Lucy Jane Livingston, widow of the late 
Wm. Livingston of Lewis, resides at Berkeley, Oal. 

Dr. Alpheus Morse's second wife was Ruth M. Hibbard, a 
resident of Upper Jay, 

Maria Morse, daugher of Dr. Alpheus Morse, married Rev. 
Hiram Chamberlain, a Presbyterian minister, Oct. 9, 1825, 
going to Franklin, Mo. Rev. Hiram Chamberlain was the 
pioneer Presbj-terian missionary of Missouri. Their children 



BISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 86 

were Heury and Payson who both died young and Henrietta 
who married Richard King. While Mrs. Henrietta King 
never lived in Elizabeth town, the following write up from 
Texas will be of interest to all readers of this book, and espe- 
cially to those who remember her late mother, who frequent!}" 
visited her uncle. Dr. Alexander Morse, here in pioneer days : 

CATTLE QUEEN OF TEXAS. 
Mrs, King and Her Vast Herds of Cattle and Sheep. 

Mrs. Richard King, of Texas, is probably the richest woman 
in the United States, not even excepting Mrs. Hetty Green. 
Her wealth was partly inherited from her father, a pioneer 
Presbyterian clergyman, the first who ever went, staff and bible 
in hand, to preach the Gospel to the Indians and mixed races 
that peopled the vast domain over which his own little daugh- 
ter was destined to hold sway as a landed proprietor. 

Mrs. King is a widow, and her landed estates in southern 
Texas amount to 1,250,000 acres, or about two thousand square 
miles. The ranch on which she resides is the largest in the 
world. It is called "The Santa Gertrudes." In the center of 
it, thirteen miles from her front gate, is Mrs. King's home, a 
central chateau, looming up like a baronial castle on a slight 
eminence. All around it are the pretty homes of dependents, 
surrounded by well tilled fields and gardens. 

The 200,000 cattle, of improved and imported breeds, and 
all sheep within the Santa Gertrudes ranch belong to Mrs. 
King. The current expenses of the ranch reach -^100,000 a 
year. Three hundred cowboys are in her employ, for whom 
she keeps 1,200 ponies. 

Corpus Ohristi is the terminus of a branch railroad built by 
Mrs. King to take the place of her wagon trains^ which for- 
merly bore ice and every other necessity and luxury to her ranch 



87 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

from Corpus Christi. Long trains from that city now carry 
Mrs. Kint^'s cattle to the East. 

The 2,000 square miles of Mrs. King's territory are bounded 
on the south by Corpus Christi bay. Forty miles of the coast 
belong to the Santa Gertrudes ranch. The barbed wire fences 
on the land side of the estate extend 300 miles. For every 
twenty miles of fencing a superintendent is employed to see 
that no break is made and he has several assistants. 

Part of every year Mrs. King lives in Corpus Christi, where 
she has built a palace in which is found every modern 
appliance for comfort, domestic economy, luxury and for the 
gratification of taste in art and literature. Another remarka- 
ble Texas woman, Mrs. Elizabeth Brooks, in a volume intended 
for private circulation only, and entitled "Prominent Women 
of Texas," gives some of the facts in the above sketch, and 
others not of quite so much interest to the general reader. 

Daniel Wright, a native of Lebanon, Conn., where he was 
born in 1757, and his wife, Patience Bill, born in Hebron the 
same year, moved to Gilsum, N. H., during the Revolutionary 
War and there he served three years in the Continental Line. He 
fought at the battle of Bunker Hill, served eight months in 1775 
in the Regiment of the famous Col. John Stark, all the year 1776 
under Col. Samuel Reed, and in June, 1777, his name appears 
in a New Hampshire Regiment which was sent "to reinforce 
the Continental Army at Ticonderoga." The great-grandfather 
of the writer. Captain Josiah Brown of New Ipswich, N. H., 
came to Ticonderoga heading a company detached from Colo- 
nel Enoch Hale's Regiment of New Hampshire Militia in 
June, 1777, and knew Daniel Wright well. Curiously enough 
these two Revolutionary veterans, both of whom had served in 
the New Hampshire Militia at Ticonderoga, that training place 
for soldiers, became purchasers of farming land in Essex 
County, their purchases being but a few miles apart. Captain 




0^c</yUcyy>v JlPatUej 



General Ransom Noble, A Hero of the War of 18J2, Founder 
of the Noble Family in Essex County and for years 
Northern Ne-w York's First Business Man. 



HISTORY OF ELIZAEETHTOWN 90 

Josiali Brown purchased land in what was then the town of 
Willsborough, afterwards in the town of Lewis. Daniel Wright 
purchased land in what was the town of Elizabeth town from 
1798 to 1815 and is now in the town of Westport. Daniel 
Wright was a sturdy pioneer, a typical example of the early 
settlers of Essex County. He came to the northern part of 
what is now the town of Westport and settled when he was 
in the prime of a vigorous manhood, having an honorable mili- 
tary record. March 25, 1802, he was commissioned 2d Major 
"of a regiment of militia of the county of Essex, whereof Joseph 
Sheldon, Esq., is Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant,"' by Gov. 
George Clinton. In 1806 he was made 1st Major of his regi- 
ment and in 1807 Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant. In 1811 
he was raised to the high rank of Brigadier General of Militia 
in the counties of Essex, Clinton and Franklin, and held this 
responsible position throughout the War of 1812, where the 
brave old veteran will receive further mention. 

Enos Loveland, born in Marlboro, formerly a part of Glas- 
tonbury, Conn., March 12, 1766, left his New England home 
in 1800 to seek his fortune farther west. He was married at 
SpencertoAvn, N. Y., Jan. 15, 1789, to Anna Finney, who was 
born in Warren, Conn., Jan. 25, 1769. Anna Finney was a 
sister of Heman, Joel and Anson Finney heretofore mentioned. 
Enos Loveland and wife lived for a time at Sand Lake, Rens- 
selaer County, N. Y., after which they came to Elizabethtown, 
probably by way of the Schroon and Boquet valleys, thence 
eastward across the Black River to the highlands of Morgan's 
Patent. He lived at the place now called "Hoisington's." 

The children of Enos and Anna Loveland were as follows : 
Sylvia, who married for her first husband, Marcus Hoisiug- 
ton, having a son Marcus, and afterward became the second 
wife of Dr. Diadorus Holcomb. 

Asa, who married Margaret Frasier and went wesi 



91 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Erastus, who married Lucy Bradley and became the father 
of Ralph A. Lovelaud who represented Essex County in the 
Assembly and in the State Senate and afterwards became a 
wealthy lumber dealer in Chicago, 111., and Saginaw, Mich., 
where he died in 1899. 

Amanda, who married Warren Harper. 

Lucetta, who became a school teacher. She was twice mar- 
ried, first to Leman Bradley, second to Eben Egerton. 

Narcissa, who married Elijah Angier. 

Aretas, who married Emeline Manning 

Then came two children, both being named Datus, one born 
in 1805, the other in 1806. Both died young. 

Harriet, who married James Stringham. 

Then there was an infant, born and died in 1810, and the 
youngest of the family was Enos, who died at the age of 20 
years. 

In 1801 Elijah Bishop served as Supervisor of Elizabeth- 
town, the Inspectors being Elijah Bishop, Sylvanus Lobdell, 
Benjamin Payne, the latter being one of the first settlers in 
what is now the town of Keeue. 

The clerks in 1801 were Charles Goodrich and John Lobdell. 

Major Elijah Bishop had settled at what is now New Russia 
in 1793, being "a mechanic of all trades." Major Elijah Bishop 
was born at New Milford, Conn., Nov. 2, 1764, and married 
Tabitha Holcomb, a native of Simsbury, Conn. Their children 
were as follows : 

Basil Bishop, born in Monkton, Vt., Feb. 28, 1789. 

Lucius Bishop, born in Monkton, Vt., Nov. 20, 1791. 

Arethusa Bishop, born in Elizabethtown, Jan. 30, 1795. 

Midas Bishop, born in Elizabethtown, Feb. 16, 1798. 

Thetis Bishop, born in Elizabethtown, March 4, 1800. 

Elijah Bishop, born in Elizabethtown, Jan. 31, 1803. 

Miuutia Bishop, born in Elizabethtown, June 14, 1805. 



ttlSTORY OF ELiZABETHTOWN &2 

Norval Bishop, boru in Elizabethtown, April 23, 1807. 

Shortly after 1800, if not actually clurin^^ that year, Jacob 
Matthews, born December 5, 1781, and his wife, Mary Fish, 
born May 4, 1783, came to Elizabethtown to reside. Jacob 
Matthews was Elizabethtown's pioneer shoemaker and once 
kept shop in the plastered house which stood near where Judge 
Bowland C. Kellogg's driveway leaves the street. The chil- 
dren of Jacob and Mary Matthews were Orlando G., who 
married for his first wife Eliza Brown, the ceremony taking 
place October 26, 1823. The children of Orlando and Eliza 
Matthews were George Brown, Edwin L., Forest Clark, Henry 
J., Oscar A., Sarah L., Albert Piatt, Chas. J., Caroline E., Lo- 
vina J. and James M. George kept books in Saugerties 39 
years. He died in 1898. Oscar A. died in 1872. Henry died in 
Minnesota a few years ago. Caroline E. married Lyceuus Beers 
and died in Port Henry in 1892. Sarah, Lovina and Albert 
Piatt are still living. Eliza Matthews died May 28, 1860. 
Orlando G. Matthews married Joanna Morse for his second 
wife. One daughter was born by the second wife. The daugh- 
ter died a few years ago. Orlando G. Matthews died in 1881. 
His second wife still survives. 

Nathaniel Fish, who married Katherine Leggett and went to 
Warrensburgh, N. Y., where they lived many years. 

Amanda, 

Edwin. 

Almira N. 

Phila E. 

Piatt Rogers Halstead. 

Lovina J., who was an accomplished school teacher. She 
married a man named Tower and lived in the west during her 
latter years. 

Letetia C. 

Orrilla, who married John Sweatt. Charles Sweatt, son of 



93 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

John aud Orrilla Sweatt, became the father of Dr. Frank 
Sweatt of Essex. 

Roxalana. 

Reuben W. 

James Monroe, who went to Troy, N, Y., and became a 
member of the well-knowu mercantile firm of Silliman, Mat- 
thews & Co., dealers in groceries. James Monroe Matthews 
was one of the best known business men in Troy for many 
years and died in old age only a few 3'ears ago. Several of the 
older merchants of central Essex County remember James 
Monroe Matthews well as a Troy business man, having dealt 
largely with him. 

The most cherished memories of the writer's early boyhood 
are of Mary (Fish) Matthews who survived her husband sev- 
eral years, the last of her residence in Elizabethtown being at 
the Brown farm in the Boquet Valley. "Grandmother Mat- 
thews," as she was locally and familiarly known, had a great 
memory and a penchant for reminiscence. Having lived here 
while the Indians and wolves were still numerous aud having 
come from Northwest Bay to Elizabethtown village by a line of 
marked trees, riding horseback and carrying her young son 
Orlando G. in her arms, her reports of experiences in pioneer 
days naturally found lodgment iu the young and plastic mind 
of the future historian of Pleasant Valley. To-day the picture 
of that good old lady, nearly 90 years of age, as she groped 
about the house, blind and otherwise enfeebled, is indelibly 
marked in our mind's eye. Shortly after 1870 her daughter, 
Mrs. Lovina J. Tower, came east and took the venerable woman 
away to live in the west, where she died soon afterwards. 

It has been stated on the pages of history that Joseph Jenks 
came to Pleasant Valley and settled in 1804, coming here from 
Nine Partners, Dutchess County, a place well-known as a 
stronghold of the Friends or Quakers. It cannot be denied 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 94 

that the Jenks family held this serene and unwarlike faith. 
However, it is apparent from the following deed from Noah 
Ferris and Sarah, his wife, to Joseph Jenks, said deed being 
dated August 19, 1801, and recorded in book B of Deeds, page 
189, as follows, that the good old Quaker must have arrived 
here about three years earlier than historians have hitherto 
given credit for : 

"All that certain tract or parcel of land situate in Elizabeth- 
town aforesaid, bounded as follows, beginning at the southwest 
corner of lot number twelve at a basswood stump marked 
number twelve and thirteen, thence running west eighteen 
rods to a stake, thence south one hundred and forty four rods 
to a stake, thence east one hundred and seventy eight rods to 
a stake, thence north one hundred and ninety eight rods to a 
rock with a heap of stones on it standing in the east line of 
lot number twelve, thence west one hundred and eighteen rods 
to a stream of water called the West Branch, thence up said 
stream in the middle thereof south thirty degrees west six 
rods, then south ten degrees east nine rods, then south forty 
two degrees and thirty minutes west twelve rods, then south 
seventy degrees west six rods, then north seventy degrees west 
fifteen rods to a rock in said stream, thence south twenty seven 
rods to the place of beginning, containing two hundred and 
ten acres of land.^ Bounded on the north by Azel Abel, on 
the west by James Goodrich, on the south by lands belonging 
to the people of the State of New York, and on the east by 
Noah Ferris laud." 

Joseph Jenks soon took high rank in Elizabethtown. He 
was appointed Justice of the Peace and Assistant Judge of the 
Court of Common Pleas. He lived about 10 years in a house 

1 The rock mentioned in the deed dated nearly 104 years ago came to be the "well-known 
rock" in deeds of a later date. Curiously enough this "well-known rock" was swept away 
during the great freshet of 1856, disappearing entirely from mortal view and no trace of it 
has since been found. 



l>o HISTORY OF ELlZABETHTOWN 

which stood near where David W. Dougan now lives on River 
Street in the village of Elizabethtown. The consideration for 
the propert}^ purchased by Joseph Jenks of Noah Ferris and 
Sarah, his wife, was $1090 and a warranty deed was given, the 
date of recording being June 29, 1812. Judge Joseph Jenks 
moved to Northwest Bay three or four years before his death, 
which occurred in 1815, his mortal remains being buried in 
what is known as the "south buryiug ground." His wife's 
name was Hannah. His daughter Mary married Ira Hen- 
derson, who was born near Fort Ann, Washington County, N. 
Y., in 1791, and came to Northwest Bay from Whitehall, N.Y., 
before 1815. A daughter of Ira and Mary Henderson, Mary 
Ann by name, married William Richards. William Richards 
died in 1881 but his widow still survives, being in the 89th 
year of her age. Mrs. Mary Ann Richards is a remarkably 
well informed old lady and in years gone by gave valuable as- 
sistance in the preparation of this work. 

By reading page 65 of Deed Book A in the Essex County 
Clerk's office one finds that Elijah Rich sold 3 acres and 33 
rods of land to Azel Abel, the date of the deed being Sept. 8, 
1801. The consideration was $50, warrantv, recorded Sept. 
20, 1802. 

Another man who came to Elizabethtown in 1801 was Amos 
Rice. He was born Sept. 13, 1768. 

He came to Elizabethtown, cleared ground, built a house 
and grist-mill near the site of the present grist-mill in the 
extreme western part of this village. He is said to have driven 
the first wagon into Elizabethtown. In 1803 he brought his 
wife and six children to Elizabethtown to live in the wilder- 
ness home he had founded. 

The following list of children and date of births was taken 
from the old family bible by permission of Mrs. E. L. Barker 
of Elizabethtown, a daughter of the late George Rice : 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 9G 

Sally Kice, born Nov. 14, 1790. 

Solomon Rice, born Dec. 20, 1792. 

Levi Rice, born June 19, 1795. 

Alvah Rice, born March 30, 1798. 

Clarissa Rice, born June 30, 1800. 

Amos L. Rice, born Jan. 28, 1802. 

Robards Rice, born May 24, 1804. 

Lorin Rice, born Nov. 23, 1807. 

Abigail Rice, born Dec. 7, 1811. 

George Rice, born Nov. 28, 1815. 

In connection with the Rice family there is an interesting 
chapter which, while it was not enacted here in Elizabeth town, 
should nevertheless be recorded in a book like Pleasant Valley. 

The details of that awful butchery known in American his- 
tory as the Wyoming Massacre are too well-known to call for 
repetition. Sujffice to say that the quiet of that peaceful, 
happy valley was suddenly converted into a terrible uproar as 
400 British "Tories" and several hundred Indians led by Col. 
John Butler entered the Wyoming Valley. The settlers who 
were at home made what resistance they could against over- 
whelming odds and were driven to the shelter of Fort Forty. 
Two days later they surrendered. The inhabitants generalh^ 
were massacred or driven from the valley, which the Indians 
left a smoking solitude. 

Among those who had settled in Wyoming Valley was the 
Rev. Eber Andrews, an Episcopalian clergyman who had been 
born and reared near London, England. Coming to America, 
he went into the wilderness, settling in the Wyoming Valley, 
where he farmed it week days, and preached Sundays, a com- 
bination common in those early times. When the Indians 
swooped down into the valley, the Rev. Eber Andrews, his 
wife Sarah and their family, including a six year old daughter — 
Abigail — with about 70 others made their escape. They were 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETBTOWN 100 

Elizabethtown early iu the 19fcli ceutary. He was an old time 
clock maker. His clocks were hand made and warranted. A 
clock face made and hand painted by Beuben Andrews is be- 
fore the writer at the present time. It bears the following; : 
By Eeuben Andrews. No. 395. For Azel Abel, Elizabeth- 
town, April 22, 1809. 

Reuben Andrews lived on the old Keene road, so-called, just 
west of the Cobble Hill Golf Ground, and took produce of all 
kinds in exchange for his clocks. It is curious to note that 
while the Andrews hand made clocks werecommon hereabouts 
50 years ago, none can be found intact to-day. 

Reuben Andrews moved to Wheatland, N. Y., about 1811 
and died there, leaving relatives. 

Lorin Rice succeeded his father in command at the grist-mill, 
selling out and going west in 1882. He died several years ago. 

Abigail Rice, who married Roswell A. Johnson, a first cousin, 
a son of Rhoda Andrews, was the last of Amos Rice's children 
to survive, dying in 1901, in the 90th year of her age. She too 
was buried in the Roscoe cemetery. It might be stated here 
that in the summer of 1900 the writer made a trip to Moriah 
for the purpose of talking with Mrs. Johnson about the de- 
tails of the narrow escape of her mother from the Wyoming 
massacre. Shortly after that visit an article relating to that 
narrow escape appeared in the Elizabethtown Post & Gazette, 
which matter was reproduced in the Troy Budget. 

Solomon Rice was locally known as "Sol." Rice. He was 
deaf and dumb. During early years, notably after the erec- 
tion of the Baptist Church and the placing of the large bell in 
the tower, it was the custom to ring the bell after a death in 
the community, tolling three times three for a man, three times 
two for a woman and three times one for a child. The bell also 
tol(le)d the age of the person and at the time of the funeral 
was tolled as the procession came to the church, also going 



101 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

from the church to the cemetery. It is related by old people 
that "Sol." Kice, who lived a mile away from the church bell 
and knew uothiuor about a death having occurred, would nev- 
ertheless weep immediately after every death in the commu- 
nity and invariably his weeping was followed within a few 
minutes by the tolling of the bell. Was this a case of mental 
telegraphy ? 

Truman Rice, a brother of Amos Rice, lived just west of 
Elizabethtown village on "the old Keene road," so-called. "The 
old Keene road" ran diagonally across what is now the Cobble 
Hill Golf Ground, thence through the woods (where the old 
road is plainly visible to this day) and thence past the Truman 
Rice home and so on over the hill, coming into the present high- 
way leading from Elizabethtown village to Keene at a point 
near the residence of Wm. H. McDougal. Truman Rice was 
locally known as "Governor" Rice. He removed to Ohio about 
1831 and one of his daughters married Governor Reuben 
Wood. He visited Elizabethtown with his wife and expressed 
himself so much pleased with the view from the eminence north- 
east of and overlooking the village, that it has since been uni- 
versally known as Wood Hill. 

A son of Truman Rice, Lorenzo Rice by name, had a defec- 
tive eye and on account of the imperfection was locally known 
as "Gimlet Eye." Lorenzo Rice built a saw-mill a short dis- 
tance below his father's residence, on Deep Hollow Brook, 
which he operated only for a short time, as he found he had 
located on a "thunder shower" stream. After a few months, 
finding that he didn't have water enough for power except for 
a short time in the spring of the year, he took the saw-mill 
down and re-erected it on the Durand Brook at the falls just 
west of where Arthur Cauley now lives in the Boquet Valley. 
Traces of these two saw-mill sites are still visible on the 
streams mentioned, though there is only one man now living in 



HISTORY OF ELTZABETQTOWN 102 

Elizabetlitown old enough to remember when the man with 
the defective eye was operating upon these streams. 

Lorenzo Rice sold out his laud to the late Oliver Abel, Si'., 
in 1834, as a deed in possession of Miss Alice E. Abel attests. 

Amos G. Eice, son of the late Lorin Rice, resides in Eliz- 
abethtowu. He is a mechanic of recognized ability. Many of 
the old grist-mills of central Essex County have felt the force 
of his mechanical ability, being rejuvenated thereby. 

It might be stated here that Amos Rice and Abigail An- 
drews bought their land of the Roscoes before mentioned. 

Benjamin Payne, heretofore mentioned as a town official, is 
reputed to have been the first white man to settle and remain 
in that part of Elizabethtowu which was "set off," with a strip 
off the town of Jay, as Keeue March 19, 1808. He is said to 
liave penetrated the wilderness by way of Northwest Bay and 
Pleasant Valley, following a line of marked trees tlirough the 
woods, bringing his goods in a "jumper or rude vehicle con- 
structed of two long poles which served the purpose at once of 
thills, traces and wheels." It has been stated in history that 
Benjamin Payne died before 1800, This statement, however, 
cannot be true, as he was serving as one of Elizabethtown's 
Inspectors in 1801, as the official returns in the Essex Couutv 
Clerk's office show. Betsey Payne is said to have been the 
first white child born in what is now the towu of Keene. 

Other early settlers in what is now Keene were Timothy 
and Nathaniel Pangboru, brothers, David Graves, Thos. Tay- 
lor, Gen. Reynolds, Zadock Hurd, Eli Hull and Thomas Dart, 
8r. 

Thomas Dart married Sarah Wilcox and originally came 
from the Keene, N. H., region. He is said to have been a 
Revolutionary soldier. The children of Thomas and Sarah 
Dart were as follows: Thomas Dart, Jr., who married Cynthia 
Griswold, their marriage being the first event of the kind to take 



103 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

place in what is now the town of Keene. Ebenezer Dart, who 
married a Manley and lived many years in what is now Keene. 
Lydia Dart, who married Major William Bailey, one of the 
most patriotic men who ever lived in the Ausable Valley. Ma- 
jor William Bailey lived on a farm at North Jay, whei'e he died 
shortly after the close of the late civil war. A son, Hiram 
Bailey, died at Keene Valley in 1900, and another son, Thomas 
Bailey, died at North Jay in 1902. A daughter of Major Wil- 
liam Bailey, Sarah by name, married Harvey Wilcox, a first 
cousin, the marriage ceremony being performed by Rev. Henry 
Herrick of Clintonville, N. Y., in that most weird of bridal 
chambers— Ausable Chasm — the certificate being dated "Table 
Rock, Town of Chesterfield, Essex Co., June 14, 1848." The 
other children of Major William Bailey were William, "Nabby" 
and John. 

A daughter of Thomas Dart, Sr., married an Estes and 
another married a Wilson and went to Pennsylvania to reside. 

Roxy, who never married. 

The first death in what is now Keene is reported to have 
been Eli Bostwick. 

Zadock Hurd kept the first hotel in what is to-day known 
as Keene. 

Of all the early settlers of that part of Elizabethtown which 
was destined to become part of the town of Keene, Eli Hull 
unquestionably had the most unique record. He was born at 
Killingworth, Conn., March 20, 1764, and was therefore a mere 
boy when the American Revolution broke out. He was bound 
out to learn the shoemaker's trade but felt that his apprentice- 
ship was irksome and ran away from his master. The fact 
that his only brother Joseph was then in the American army 
at Valley Forge led the youth in that direction. After consid- 
erable exertion, accompanied by the hardship incident to a 
long journey on foot at that time, he arrived at Washington's 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 104 

headquarters and offered bis services. The great hearted 
Washington saw that the lad was fired with patriotism but 
could not enlist him at that time on account of his tender 
years. However, General Washington said to him : "I will 
employ you as my waiter boy and when you are old enough 
will enlist you." From that time to 1781 he took care of Gen- 
eral Washington's horse, ran on errands, etc., serving faithfully 
and acceptably. On January 1, 1781, he enlisted as a private 
in Captain Stephen Potter's Company, Colonel Hemau Swift's 
Division, and served throughout the remainder of the Revolu- 
tion, doing his duty steadfastly and well. After the close of 
the Revolution he and his brother Joseph went to Lempster, 
N. H., where both married and settled as farmers. 

Eli Hull married Sally Beckwith. Early in the 19th century 
he moved with his family to the banks of the Ausable River, 
settling near what is to-day known as Hull's Falls, named in 
honor of the Revolutionary veteran himself. It is worthy of 
note that Eli Hull was a participant in the War of 1812, taking 
part in the Battle of Plattsburgh, where three of his ten sons — 
Joseph, Aldeu and Eli B. — also served. It is also worthy of 
mention that Eli Hull was a pensioner, the pension being 
granted to him as a Connecticut veteran of the Revolution re- 
siding in the State of New York, under the Act of 1818. This 
man of remarkable record died in Keene in 1828, his mortal 
remains being buried in the family lot near Hull's Falls. The 
late Major William Henry Harrison Hull of Keene was the 
9th of the 10 sons born to Eli Hull and Sally Beckwith, his 
wife. Major Hull died June 2, 1897. Since the death of Major 
Hull a Post Office— Hull's Falls — has been established in the 
neighborhood where Eli Hull lived and died. Otis Henry 
Hull, eldest son of the late Major Hull and grandson of Eli 
Hull, being Postmaster. 

In 1801 Norman Nicholson was serving as Postmaster of 



105 HISTORY OP ELIZA BETHTOWN 

Elizabethtowu and he is said to have been the first Postmaster 
the town ever had. He was the father of the late George S. 
Nicholson, Esq., and a brother of Mary Nicholson, the wife of 
Dr. Alexander Morse, heretofore mentioned. Where he kept 
the Post Office none now living can tell. However, it is highly 
probable that the Post Office was then not far distant from 
the site of the present Post Office where a grandson of Nor- 
man Nicholson, John D. Nicholson, Esq., is serving as Post- 
master, he being the only living son of the late George S. 
Nicholson, Esq. 

Elder Keynolds is reputed to have been pastor of the Baptist 
Church in Elizabethtown in 1801. 

Mention of a "lake road" was made "in the town records of 
1801" says Mrs. Caroline Halstead Royce in her history of 
Westport and of another which ran "through Ananias Rog- 
ers' clearing." The latter road Mrs. Royce concludes "was 
probably a road connecting Pleasant Yalley with Northwest 
Bay." ' 

At this time men of energy and capacity were wending their 
way into Elizabethtown, the township then extending from the 
shore of Lake Champlain westward to the North Elba of to- 
day. 

In the fall of 1801 Charles Hatch, who had been located at 
Brookfield for eleven years, concluded to move to that part of 
Elizabethtown designated as Northwest Bay. Forty years 
after his removal to Northwest Bay he wrote, at the request 
of Dr. Sewall S. Cutting, then editor of the New York Re- 
corder, a letter descriptive of Northwest Bay as he first saw it, 
which has fortunately been preserved. He began : 

"Dear sir : — I now, agreeable to promise, commence a sketch 
of the early settlement of this country, but more particularly 
of the town of Westport. In the spring of 1790 I moved to 
the settlement of Brookfield, which commenced in the spring 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 106 

of 1789, which place was then in the town of Willsboro, but 
now in the town of Essex. At that time all the country west 
of me for 100 miles was an entire wilderness. I remained in 
Brookfield until 1802. During that time a settlement com- 
menced in Pleasant Valley, now Elizabethtown, also in the 
several towns of Chesterfield by Isaac Wright, in Jay by Na- 
thaniel Malery, in Keene by Benjamin Payne, in Schroon by 
a Judge Pond. All commenced their improvements and pro- 
gressed rapidly. Our roads were all to make anew. I helped 
look out the first road that led from Brookfield to the lake, a 
distance of six miles. I drove the first loaded wagon from 
Brookfield to Pleasant Valley, a distance of eight miles. 

"In the fall of 1801 I concluded to move to Westport, eight 
miles from my theu residence, yet there was no road. I then 
harnessed my horses to a wagon, with four men with me, and 
in two days' time, with perseverance, we reached Westport, my 
present residence, situated ten miles west of the City of Ver- 
gennes, in Vermont, and being on the west side of Lake Cham- 
plain." 

He does not mention his reason for leaving Brookfield, but 
to any one who knows his history it is plain that he foresaw 
no future for himself and his aptitude for business in a place 
like Brookfield, which has remained unto this day simply a 
stretch of farming country. 

"Westport at that time was mostly a dense forest, with a few 
solitary settlements, without a road near the lake to Essex, 
the adjoining town north, and none to Crown Point, the then 
adjoining town south. We, of course, had no means of com- 
municating with our neighboring towns but by water, and that 
[manuscript indistinct) ***** ferry com- 
menced by Piatt Rogers and John Halstead, another one two 
and one-half miles south at Barber's Point, by Hezekiah Bar- 
ber, which place bears his name. Still there was also a small 



107 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

improvement four miles south of the present Westport village, 
commenced by a man by the name of Raiment, which was the 
only improvement commenced before the Revolution in the 
present Westport. At the last mentioned place Raiment 
erected a small mill, but it was all demolished when I moved 
into this place, except a shattered old house which was occu- 
pied by Benjamin Andrews. 

"The village of Westport is situated about nine miles north 
of Crown Point, on a pleasant Bay, and * * * had * * ^ 
three log houses, a saw-mill, and a few scattering log houses 
in the backwoods." 

Watson who probably received his information from the 
old Squire himself, says that he found there one frame house, 
three log houses, a saw-mill and one barn. The frame house, 
and probably the barn, were John Halstead's, and the saw- 
mill was built by Ananias Rogers, 

"The little partial improvement on the village ground was 
covered with dry Hemlock Trees, but the first settlers was a 
set of Hardy, Industrious men, and the wilderness soon became 
fruitful fields, and the improvements have progressed gradu- 
ally. The great Iron Ore Bed, formerly called the Crown 
Point Ore Bed, is situated in the south part of Westport, and 
is one of th© most extensive mines of Iron in this Northern 
Iron region. It was discovered soon after the Revolution, and 
fell into the hands of Piatt Rogers, who made some improve- 
ments in raising. He employed a number of miners. Among 
the miners was a respectable Englishman by the name of 
Walton, and some of his descendants still remain in the same 
neighborhood, and some occupying the same ground, and en- 
joy a respectable place in society." 

He is mistaken in saying that the ore bed was "discovered 
soon after the Revolution," as its existence was well-known to 
Philip Skene, and we have good reason to believe that this is 





GENERAL HENRY H. ROSS. 
Owner of the Mansion House in Elizabethtow^n For Years. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 110 

why he desii'ed the grant of the land from the kino;. It is an 
interesting fact that the Walton family of whom Judge Hatch 
speaks still occupy the same place, on the road between West- 
port and Port Henry, 

"In consequence of the Iron mine above named, and many 
others in the neighboring towns, there are many forges erected 
in almost every town in the county, and many of them bring 
their iron into Westport for market. The early settlers suf- 
fered many privations, it being a time when all kinds of mer- 
chandise was very Dear, and no manufacturing near but what 
every Family did for themselves; no mills near. None knows 
the privations but those that tryed it, but the scene is much 
changed. We now find ourselves situated in a pleasant Vil- 
lage of about one thousand inhabitants, plentifully supplied 
with the necessaries of life, and many luxuries, having now a 
variety of factorys, among others a furnace which makes from 
six to nine tons of Iron per day, and another furnace at Port 
Henry. Of the several Iron mines in Essex Co. the following 
is a part ; 1st, in Westport. 2nd, in Moriah. 3rd, in Crown 
Point. 4th, in Elizabethtowu, besides many more, almost 
without number." 

The old Judge, or Squire, always wrote the word "iron" with 
a capital I and well he might, for it had a great part in build- 
ing up his fortune. Again, after Judge Charles Hatch got to 
be old he quite often gave his age under his signature, as 
dozens of letters still preserved bear silent but indisputable 
witness. 

In the same year that the wordly possessions of Charles 
Hatch were conveyed with so much labor through the wilder- 
ness from Brookfield to Northwest Bay, another party made 
its way in the opposite direction to the falls on the Boquet. 
They crossed Lake Champlain, landed at Northwest Bay and 



Ill HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

cut a road "four miles through the pine woods." This was 
the Jesse Braman party and they came from Eastern Massa- 
chusetts. His people were early settlers in Norton, Mass. 
Jesse Braman's wife was Abiatha Felt and her brother Aaron 
Felt was also an early settler at what is now designated Wad- 
hams Mills. It was Aaron Felt who built the first grist-mill 
at the falls. His wife was Rachel Chase, a resolute woman. 
It has been said that she could run the mill as well as her hus- 
band and that when it was necessary to carry the grain to the 
mill, she shouldered the bag, man fashion, and went ahead as 
though it was her duty to do it. Aaron Felt and family moved 
to Pleasant Valley about 1809, but the Bramans stayed where 
they first settled. Jesse Braman's wife Abiatha had six chil- 
dren and then died. His second wife was Marcia Rose and 
she had seven children. Daniel W. Braman grew to be one 
of the substantial business men of Wadhams Mills. Horace 
Braman was also in business there and his son Jesse has been 
a practicing physician there. Jason Braman married Laura 
Hubble and their children were Egbert, Mary, Van Ness, 
George, Estella, Lucy, Henr}', James and Lynn. Of the 
daughters, Asenath married Piatt Sheldon, Martha mar- 
ried Henry Brownson and Helen married Thomas Felt. 

In 1802 Charles Goodrich served as Elizabethtown's Super- 
visor, also as an Inspector. The other Inspectors in 1802 were 
Benjamin Payne, Enos Loveland, Noah Ferris and Sylvanus 
Lobdell. The reader will readily see that Benjamin Payne 
must have been alive as late as April 29, 1802, the date of In- 
spectors returns, else he could not have served as a town 
oflicial at that time. 

In 1802 a man named Rich built a forge on the Boquet 
River at a point for the past 60 years known as New Russia, 
the settlement having been so named by the late Col. E. F. 
Williams in 1845. The forge was located at or near the site 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 112 

of the forge afterwards so long ruo by the Putnams and was 
the second iron manufactory erected in Elizabethtown. 

In the eventful year 1802 the town of Chesterfield was 
formed, being "set off" from the town of Willsborough Feb- 
ruary 20th, making five towns in Essex County. 

During the year 1802 Elijah Calkin and his family came 
into Elizabethtown. Elijah Calkin was born at Northeast, 
Duchess County, N. Y., April 9, 1764 His wife, Keziah Rog- 
ers, was born May 9, 1764, and was therefore just one month 
his junior. Elijah Calkin and wife lived for years in Northeast, 
N. Y., but finally, with many other good Dutchess County 
people, found their way into central Essex County. Elijah 
Calkin and family settled on a farm "up west" of Elizabeth- 
town village, where both died and are buried in the old "Calkin 
burying ground," which took its name from them. 

Elijah Calkin and wife reared a large family of children, 
among whom were the following : John Calkin, who was born 
July 15, 1785, in Northeast, Dutchess County, N. Y., and was 
therefore about 17 years of age when he arrived in Elizabeth- 
town. May 11, 1806, just before he became 21 years of age, 
he married Lucy Kellogg, a daughter of Elijah Kellogg. The 
children of John Calkin and Lucy Kellogg numbered nine and 
were as follows : Amy Starkweather, Asa Starkweather, Nor- 
man, Charles McNeil, Angelina, Elvira Esterbrooks, Harriet 
Elizabeth, John Towner and Charlotte Jane. It was the 
writer's good fortune to know one of the nine children 
named above, Charles McNeil Calkin, who was a most esti- 
mable Christian man who died at Iowa City, Iowa, a few years 
since in extreme old age. The last of the nine children to sur- 
vive was John Towner Calkin who died in Chicago, 111., Janu- 
ary 26, 1905, in the 80th year of his age. 

The eldest daughter of Elijah Calkin married John Knox 



113 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

and came to Elizabethtowu from Hillsdale, Columbia County, 
N. Y. 

Anna Calkio, who married PoUaus Aurelius Newell, concern- 
ing whom further mention will be made a few j^ears later. 

Calvin Calkin, who married Kaziah Kellogg, 

Milo Calkin, U. S. representative to the Sandwich Islands, 
was a son of Calvin Calkin. 

Elijah Calkin, who married Polly Bancroft. 

Isaac Calkin, who married Laura Barnum. Their daughter 
Phebe became the late Mrs. Jehiel Browusou, or "Aunt 
Phebe," as she was locally and familiarly known, Delia mar- 
ried a man named Bingham and Amanda married a Springer. 

Benjamin Calkiu, who married Urania Kellogg, also a 
daughter of Elijah Kellogg. The children of Benjamin Cal- 
kin and wife were Rosamond, who never married, Juliett, 
who married George H. Glidden, Rebecca, who married Alvin 
Blood, Phebe Ann, who married Cyrel Wakefield, Henry and 
Theodore, all of whom are dead. 

Hiram Calkin, who married Maria Person for his first wife. 
Their children were Charles, Lewis and Leander. His second 
wife was Sarah Hill Perry. The children by the second mar- 
riage were Evander and Elliott Brown. 

Earlier in this work Captain William Kellogg was mentioned. 
He was the eldest of three brothers, sons of Josiah Kel- 
logg who lived in the Wyoming Valley when the Tories and 
Indians swooped down upon that practically defenseless set- 
tlement. The two younger brothers of Captain William Kel- 
logg were Elijah and Eldad and it is now proper to state that 
the latter was also mixed up in the Wyoming Massacre, nar- 
rowly escaping with his life. Elijah Kellogg having arrived 
in Elizabethtowu, it is now time to speak at some length of 
his numerous family. Elijah Kellogg married Polly Harner. 
Their children were William Kellogg, 2d., who married for 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 114 

his first wife Rhoda Farns worth, a sister of Deacou Asa Farns- 
worth, so long a resident of the town of Lewis. William 
Kellogg's second wife was Ruby Phelps. William Kellogg's 
children were: Cyrus, who married Mary Jane Williams, eldest 
sister of Charles Noble Williams of Elizabethtown ; Ira, who 
became a Baptist preacher, being located in or near Panton, 
Vt., as late as five years ago ; Harriet, who married Ezekiel 
Palmer; Philnnder, Orson (2d.,) Rhoda and Sabra. 

Valentine Kellogg, who married Huldah Phelps. Their 
children were : Polly, who died of the "black throat ail" in the 
winter of 1842, Jane Ann who married Wm. Codman and set- 
tled in Winona, Minn., where she died, Leoline Valentine, who 
married in the west, Eva, who marrid a Longnecker, Luena, 
who married John Townsend Miller of Minerva, Eliza, who 
married Norman Miller and resides in St. Charles, Minn., Clara, 
who married a Tupper and Mary, who never married. Val- 
entine Kellogg was one of Elizabethtowu's pioneer shoemakers. 

Orson Kellogg, the first son of Elizabethtown to graduate 
from Vermont University, graduating with honors in 
the class of 1823, married Sarah Duraud and became a famous 
school teacher, teaching successfully in Elizabethtown, 
Westport and New York City. He visited France to look up 
the estate said to have been coming to the Darand family into 
which he had married but no property ever materialized for the 
benefit of the Durands generally as a result of his foreign tour. 
Orson Kellogg had two children, Francis and Mary, both 
said to have been highly educated. Orson Kellogg died in 
New York City. 

Theron Kellogg, who married Loiinda Davernport. 

Lorenzo Kellogg, blind, who became a Baptist preacher. 

Aurelia Kellogg, who married Seth Lee. The mother of 
ex-sherifi" Judson C. Ware of North Elba was a daughter of 
Seth Lee and Aurelia Kellogg, as was also Miss Sylvia Lee, 



115 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

who died at Boquet, N. Y., January 9, 1903, in the 85th year 
of her ao;o. 

Lucy Kellogg, who married John Calkin. 

Urania Kellogg, who married Benjamin Calkin. 

Sophia Kellogg, who married William Rowe. William Rowe 
and wife are survived by several children, notably Carlos Rowe 
of Chesterfield, Mrs. Wm. E. Atherton and Miss Annette 
Kowe of Boquet. 

Kaziah Kellogg, who married Calvin Calkin. 

Eldad Kellogg, youngest brother of William and Elijah Kel- 
logg, married and settled on the Black River, in what is now 
known as the Meigsville section. He had a son Walter and 
two daughters. 

During the eventful year 1802 Elijah Hedding, (Methodist) 
afterwards the famous Bishop Hedding, was preaching in the 
Plattsburgh circuit. In a humble cottage on the west side of 
Cumberland Head, about two miles from Plattsburgh, he is 
said to have preached his first sermon. Half a century ago 
that humble cottage was pointed out as the place where Bishop 
Hedding began his career as a preacher. Another Methodist 
preacher who was laboring in the Plattsburgh circuit at this 
early time was Elijah Chichester, under whom Elijah Hedding 
labored for one year, frequently coming to Elizabethtown. 
John Crawford was another Methodist preacher who labored 
throughout this region early in the 19th century. Here amid 
our towering mountain peaks these good old fashioned Meth- 
odist pioneers forded streams, traversed forests, faced the 
pelting storms, slept in log cabins and kindled a flame that 
after the lapse of a century is not extinguished. 

Another early settler in that part of Elizabethtown which 
later became Westport was Timothy Sheldon. He was born 
at West Point, N. Y., being a son of George Sheldon and Con- 
tent Soule and a direct descendant of William Sheldon, one 



HISTORY OP ELIZABETHTOWN 116 

of the three brothers who came over from Enghmd early in 
1600. He married Maria Silvernail and after leaving West 
Point lived for a number of years in Brookfield, Essex County, 
N. Y., where he knew Charles Hatch, before mentioned. In 
fact, it is probable that the removal of Charles Hatch to 
Northwest Bay may have influenced Timothy Sheldon to seek 
his fortune in a more favorable field. At any rate he bought 
land and settled in the south part of the patent of Bessboro 
where he lived the remainder of his life. Timothy Sheldon 
had twelve children : 

Clarissa, Gitty, Walter, George, Wolfe P„ Piatt, Christine, 
Anne, Harriet, McConly, Otis and Ida. 

Clarrissa married Jonathan Post, Walter married Mary Saw- 
tell, George married Hannah North, Wolfe P. married Charity 
Crandall, Piatt married Asenath Braman, Christine married 
Levi Hinckley, Anne married Lucius Bishop, Harriet married 
David Judd, McConly was drowned while young, Otis married 
Mary Howard and Ida married Thomas McKenzie. 

Timothy Sheldon was a fine specimen of the old time country 
gentleman. As two of his daughters married residents of the 
Boquet Valley and another married a resident of the Simonds 
Hill section, and as he frequently had business at Judge Au- 
gustus C. Hand's law oflice, he often drove through Elizabeth- 
town village and thence up the Boquet Valley. His red face 
and commanding figure are well remembered by many of the 
older residents of Elizabethtown. The mortal remains of 
Timothy Sheldon were buried in the cemetery at Mullein 
Brook, which is passed in driving from Westport village to 
Port Henry. 

Hezekiah Barber, after whom Barber's Point on Lake 
Champlain was named, served as Supervisor of Elizabethtown 
from 1803 to 1805, inclusive. The Inspectors for 1803 were 



117 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Hezekiah Barber, Sjlvauus Lobdell, Enos Loveland, Jacob 
Southwell. 

The Inspectors for the year 1S04 were Sylvanus Lobdell, 
Joseph Jeiiks, Enos Loveland, Hezekiah Barber, Zadock Hurd. 

It was in 1804 that Theodoras Ross began his Legis- 
lative career, being elected to the Assembly that year. 
Inasmuch as Inspectors returns for the year 1804 were 
dated April 26th it is probable that the Assemblyman was 
elected in the spring of that year. As the student of history 
looks back a century, it is easy to see with what satisfaction 
Elizabeth VanRensselaer Ross must have accepted her hus- 
band's election to the New York Legislature from their adopted 
county after a residence here of only a few years. As the 
wife of Essex County's Assemblyman she could and luoidd go 
to Albany, "that good old Dutch town," where were so many 
of her early acquaintances and associates. In her mind there 
were, doubtless, visions of active, social scenes of other and 
better days, towards which she fondly leaned after several years 
residence here among the mountains, where there was so little 
of the gayety of the life to which her maiden days were so 
strongly attached. Ah, could she have forseen what the im- 
mediate future had in store, sad indeed would have been her 
thoughts. 

One early July morning of 1804 Alexander Hamilton, hav- 
ing been challenged by Aaron Burr to fight a duel, went across 
the Hudson River from New York City to the New Jersey 
shore. There one of the greatest statesmen New York ever fur- 
nished the Union was killed by Aaron Burr. Besides removing 
from the scenes of political activity a brilliant statesman, that 
duel forever blasted the hopes of an ambitious politician and 
made dueling a crime. The mortal remains of the ill-fated 
Hamilton were buried in Trinity churchyard, just across 




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HISTORY OF ELIZABETBTOWN 120 

Broadway from the upper eucl of Wall Street, New YorkCity.^ 
Alexander Hamilton, it will be recalled, married Elizabeth 
Schuyler, whose mother was none other than "Sweet Kitty 
VanRensselaer." Alexander Hamilton had stood shoulder to 
shoulder with his father-in-law, General Philip Schuyler, John 
Jay and Robert R. Livingston for "a more perfect union" and 
his three hours' speech at Poughkeepsie brought tears to the 
eyes of his listeners, made the opposition waver so that enough 
changed their minds to make it possible to take New York 
into the Union on the final vote of fifty-seven delegates by a 
bare majority of three. His death under the peculiar circum- 
stances cast a gloom not only over the State of New York but 
in every corner of the Union he had helped so materially to 
perfect. And doubly sad was that circle of families of which 
such a conspicuous part was formed by the VanRensselaers. 

Again, on the 18th of November, 1804, General Philip Schuy- 
ler, who had for half a century been the faithful husband of 
"Sweet Kitty VanRensselaer," breathed his last and again the 
family circle to which Elizabeth YanRensselaer Ross belonged 
was thrown into mourning. 

For sixty-six years General Schuyler's last resting place re- 
mained unmarked until, in 1870, a loving grand-daughter 
erected in the Albany Rural Cemetery a costly granite monu- 
ment bearing this simple inscription : 

Major General 

Philip Schujder 

Born at Albany 

Nov. 22nd, 1733 

Died Nov. 18, 1804." 
Truly one with the unblemished character of General Philip 
Schuyler needs no eulogistic epitaph. 

1 A son of Hamilton had in a like combat been fatally woundud. 



121 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

The towns of Schroon and Ticouderoga were organized or 
formed the same day — March 20, 1804. Schroon was named 
from the Dutchess of Scharon. Ticonderoga is from an Indian 
name meaning "Brawhng Water." 

In 1805 the Inspectors of Election in Elizabethtown were 
Simeon Frisbey, Hezekiah Barber, Sylvanus Lobdell, Enos 
Loveland, Zadock Hurd. 

Simeon Frisbey, or Frisbie, as his name was usually written, 
must have arrived in Elizabethtown previous to 1805, else he 
would not, in all human probability, have been serving as an 
Inspector of Election that year. 

Theodorus Ross again served as Member of Assembly from 
Essex County in 1805. 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BET HTOWN 122 



The Great Northern Ttimpike* 

A map of the Great Northern Turnpike route is on file in 
the Essex County Clerk's Office, also Field Notes in pamphlet 
form. The survey of the route was made by Samuel Young in 
1805. 

Inasmuch as the route ran the whole leogtli of Essex County 
from Schroon Lake on the south to the Ausable River on the 
north and as not one word, so far as the writer can recall, has 
ever been printed about the Great Northern Turnpike in any 
book issued in Northern New York, the following act is quoted 
word for word from the bound volume of Session Laws for 
1805, in the hope that it will prove interesting reading to many 
people, especially those dwelling in the matchless Boquet 
Valley, through which the route passed : 

CHAP. LXXVL 

An Act to establish a Turnpike corporation for improving 
and making the Great Northern Road from Kingsbury to the 
North line of the State. 

Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York, rep- 
resented in senate and assembly, That all such persons as shall 
hereafter associate for the purpose of making a good and suf- 
ficient road running from Kingsbury, in Washington County, 
west of Lake Champlaiu, through the county of Essex and 
Clinton, to the north line of the State, by the most direct and 
practicable route, their successors and assigns be and are 



123 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

hereby created a body corporate and politic, by the name of 
"The President and Directors of the Great Northern Turnpike 
road company- ;" and they are hereby ordained, constituted 
and declared to be a body corporate and politic, in fact and in 
name, and by that name they and their successors shall and may 
have continual succession, and shall be capable in law of suing 
and being sued, pleading and being impleaded, answering and 
being answered unto, defending and being defended in all 
courts and places whatsoever, in all manner of actions, suits, 
complaints, matters and causes whatsoever; and they and 
their successors, by that name and style, shall be in law capa- 
ble of piirchasing, holding and conveying any estate real and 
personal for the use of the said corporation : 

Provided, that such estate as well real as personal, so be pur- 
chased and held, shall be necessary to fulfil the end and intent 
of the said corporation, and to no other purpose whatsoever. 

And be it further enacted, that Theodosius Fowler, Elkanah 
Watson, Charles D. Cooper, Theodorus Ross, Benjamin 
Moores, Charles R. Webster, Robert Gilchrist, James Rogers, 
Pliney Moore and Micajah Pettit, be and are hereby appointed 
commissioners to do and perform the several duties herein- 
after mentioned, that is to say : each of the said commission- 
ers shall furnish himself with a book, in which shall be writ- 
ten, "WE, w^hose names are hereunto subscribed, respectively 
promise to pay to the president and directors of the great 
northern turnpike road company, the sum of twenty-five dol- 
lars for every share of the stock thereof set opposite to our 
respective names, in such manner and proportion, and at such 
time and place as the said president and directors shall from 
time to time require;" that such books shall be kept open for re- 
ceiving subscriptions; and every subscriber shall, at the time of 
subscribing, pay three dollars for each share subscribed, to the 
commissioner in whose book he shall so subscribe ; that the 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 124 

stock of said company may consist of six thousand shares; 
that as soon as five hundred shares shall have been subscribed, 
the said commissioners shall cause an advertisement to be 
inserted in the Albany Register, giving at least five weeks no- 
tice of the time and place when and where the said subscrib- 
ers shall meet, to choose thirteen directors, who shall be 
stockholders, For the purpose of managing the concerns of the 
company until the first Monday in October next after such 
election ; and the said directors shall be chosen by ballot by 
the stockholders then present, at which said first election such 
of the said commissioners as shall be then and there present shall 
preside ; and the first Monday in February shall forever there- 
after be the anniversary day for choosing directors and that at 
every subsequent election the stockholders present, shall by 
plurality of votes elect three of their number to preside at such 
election; that the persons so presiding shall receive the bal- 
lots at such election, and immediately after the election shall be 
closed, openly estimate the votes, and thereupon make and 
subscribe a certificate of the result of such election, specify- 
ing the names of the stockholders so elected, and make return 
thereof to the said president and directors at their next meet- 
ing after such election ; that every stockholder shall, either in 
person or by proxy, at every such election, be entitled to one 
vote for every share he or she shall hold to the number of ten 
shares, and one additional vote for every five shares he or she 
shall hold above the number of ten shares : 

Provided. That no such stockholder shall be entitled to 
more than fifty votes ; that if such election shall not be held 
on any of the said annual election days, it shall be lawful to 
make such election at any other day to be appointed for that 
purpose by the said president and directors, in like manner and 
with like effect as if the same had been held at the usual time; 
and the directors in office shall in that case, be incapacitated 



125 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

after the said auniversary election day from performing any 
act as directors, other than such as may be necessary to give 
such election efifect ; that any seven of the said directors shall 
be a quorum, and capable of transacting the business of said 
corporation, and any act of the majority of the directors, so 
met, shall be binding on the said corporation ; and after every 
such election, the said directors elected shall, immediately 
after having met, proceed to elect, by ballot, one of their 
number for president, and the said president and directors 
may meet from time to time, at such place as they may find 
expedient and direct, and they shall have power to make such 
by-laws, rules, orders and regulations, not inconsistent with 
the constitution and laws of this state or of the United States, 
as thev shall deem necessary for the well ordering the affairs 
of the said corporation ; that in case of vacancies, by death, 
resignation or otherwise, in the office of director, the other 
directors in office may, by a majority of votes, supply such 
vacancy until the next annual election day ; that whenever the 
president shall be absent from any of the meetings of the di- 
rectors, the directors present may by plurality of votes, ap- 
point another of their number president for the meeting, and 
they shall and may proceed and transact the business of the 
said corporation in like manner as if the president was pres- 
ent ; and that at the first meeting of the first directors to be 
chosen as aforesaid by the stockholders, the said commissioners 
above named shall deliver their respective subscription books 
and pay over the monies received by them respectively on 
such subscriptions, to the president and directors of the said 
corporation ; that in case of refusal or neglect the said president 
and directors are hereby authorized and empowered to prose- 
cute for the same in any court having cognizance thereof, with 
costs of suit ; and the said president and directors may con- 
tinue to receive subscriptions to the stock of the said corpo- 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 126 

ration until there shall have been six thousand shares sub- 
scribed, and shall have power to appoint such officers, agents, 
clerks, artists, workmen and others under them as shall be nec- 
essary for executing the business of the said corporation. 

And be it further enacted, that the said president and direc- 
tors shall, at all times during the continuance of this incor- 
poration, erect, maintain and support good and sufficient 
bridges of at least twenty five feet wide, over and across the 
several rivers and streams on said road. 

And Whereas it cannot at present be ascertained whether it 
will be just and proper that toll, if any, and if so, at what rate 
should be exacted for passing the said bridges. 

Therefore 

Be it further enacted, that it shall and may be lawful for 
the judges and assistant justices or a majority of thera not in- 
terested, in each county through which such road shall pass, to 
meet, if required so to do by the said president and directors, 
and determine if any and what rate of toll they shall or may 
demand, for the passing over said bridge or bridges so to be 
erected, under the hands and seals of a majority present and 
not to exceed in any instance the amount of toll received for ten 
miles on said road as specified. 

And be it further enacted, that if the said turnpike road 
shall pass over any bridge already erected, the said company 
shall be vested with the property of the said bridge in the 
same manner as if they had erected the same, and shall keep 
said bridge in repair until removed by the said president and 
directors, but shall receive no toll for passing the same; and 
the said president and directors are hereby authorized and re- 
quired to remove said bridge whenever the same shall be 
deemed essential, and to erect one in its place : Provided 
nevertheless, that if the people of the town or any citizen or 
citizens thereof in which said bridge is erected, will erect any 



127 HISTORY OP ELIZABETHTOWN 

bridge, and shall keep the same in good and sufficient repair, 
agreeable to this act, under the inspection of the commissioner 
to be appointed for the district in which such bridge shall be 
situated, then and in that case such bridge shall be a free 
one, and no toll shall be exacted for passing the same, but 
iu case the said commissioner shall under his hand and seal 
to the president and directors declare said bridge to be insuf- 
ficient or out of repair, then and in that case the said presi- 
dent and directors are hereby authorized and required to erect 
a good and sufficient bridge, and if out of repair to put the 
same in good and sufficient repair and keep the same agreea- 
ble to the true intent and meaning of this act. 

And be it further enacted, that it shall be and hereby is 
made the duty of three commissioners not interested in the 
turnpike, who shall be nominated and appointed by the per- 
son administering the government of this state, or any two of 
them under oath, to lay out such road according to the best of 
their judgment and understanding, without favor or partiality, 
in such manner that the object of the incorporation and the 
general interests of the public shall be in the best manner 
effected, and it shall be the duty of the said commissioners to 
deposit and cause to be filed in the office of the clerk of every 
county through which such road shall pass, an accurate map 
of the survey of the same in such county, designating the sev- 
eral particular points through which it shall pass ; and each 
of which commissioners for their services aforesaid, shall be 
allowed at the rate of three dollars a day, for every day they 
shall be necessarily employed in the services aforesaid, to be 
paid together with the expense of surveying and filing the said 
map by the said corporation ; and the president and directors 
may contract and agree with the owners of the said land, for 
the purchase of so much thereof as shall be necessary for the 
purpose of making said road, and for erecting and establish- 



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Morgan's Pond on the Black River. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 130 

ing ofates, toll-bouses aud all other works to the said road be- 
longing ; and in case of disagreement between the said parties 
with respect to the value of the land, so as aforesaid to belaid 
out, and the damages if any to be done to the said land, or if 
the owner or owners shall be feme covert, insane, under age 
or out of the county, then and in either such case it shall and 
may be lawful, for the said president and directors to apply to 
one of the judges of the court of common pleas in aud for the 
county in which such land shall be situated, not interested in 
said road, who is hereby authorized and required to nominate 
and by an instrument signed by him to appoint three apprais- 
ers being freeholders of said county, and who shall not_ be 
inhabitants of any of the towns through which the said road 
shall pass, or interested in said road, or the land to be ap- 
praised, and it shall be the duty of the said president and di- 
rectors to give notice to the said appraisers of their appoint- 
ment, who or any two of whom shall thereupon name a day 
for meeting on the laud, and performing the duties required of 
them by this act, which day shall not be more than ten nor 
less than four days from such notice of their appointment, and 
the president and directors shall give at least four days notice 
to the owner or owners of such land, of the time when and the 
place where the said appraisers shall meet, for the purpose of 
viewing the land and assessing the damages, except in case 
the owner or owners shall labor under any of the disabilities 
aforesaid or be absent, in either of which cases a copy of such 
notice may be left at the dwelling house of any of the parties 
or other notorious place on the land through which such road 
shall pass, and further each of the said appraisers shall before 
he proceeds to execute the trust reposed in him by this act, 
take and subscribe an oath or affirmation in writing, before 
one of the justices of the peace for the county of which he shall 
be so appointed, that he will without favor or partiality esti- 



131 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

mate and assess the damages, which may be sustained by the 
owner or owners of the land or improvements, which the cor- 
poration may deem necessary to take and appropriate for the 
said road, and the said appraisers shall then proceed to view 
the premises, and having ascertained and determined the dam- 
ages, shall make an inquisition under their hands and seals, or 
under the hands and seals of any two of them, describing the 
lands and stating the amount of damages, if any, which each or 
any of the owner or owners of any parcel of laud used or to 
be used for such road, have sustained or will sustain, which 
inquisition shall be acknowledged by the appraisers signing 
the same before one of the judges aforesaid, and then by them 
filed, together with the affidavit aforesaid, in the office of the 
clerk of the county in which such land shall be situated, within 
thirty days after such view shall be had and inquisition made 
by the said appraisers, and the said clerk shall at the expense 
and cost of the said president, directors and company, enter 
the same of record in the book kept by him for recording 
deeds ; and the president and directors aforesaid, upon 
paying the said several owners of the said lands the several 
sums so assessed and awarded, by the said appraisers in 
their said inquisition, shall and may have and hold to them 
and their successors and assigns during the continuance of 
this incorporation : Provided, that nothing in this act con- 
tained shall be construed to authorize the said president and 
directors to enter upon such land for the purpose of making 
such road thereon, until they shall have paid such damages as 
may be agreed upon or appraised according to the provisions 
of this act, if the same shall be lawfully demanded. 

And be it further enacted, That the said president and di- 
rectors shall pay to the judge, who shall appoint the apprais- 
ers to assess the damages aforesaid, one dollar and fifty cents 
for his services, and to each of the said appraisers, for every 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BET HTOWN 132 

day necessarily attending to perform the duties required by 
this act, two dollars and fifty cents. 

And be it further enacted, That the said president, directors 
and company shall cause a road to be opened and kept open 
four rods wide, twenty-three feet of which shall be bedded 
with wood, stone, gravel or other hard substance, well com- 
pacted together, a sufficient depth to secure a solid foundation 
to the same, and the said road shall be faced with gravel or 
stone pounded, or other hard substance, in such manner as to 
secure a firm and as near as the materials will admit, an even 
surface, raising towards the middle by a gradual arch, and 
where other roads shall intersect said turnpike road shall be 
so formed as that carriages may conveniently go on and ofif 
said turnpike road : Provided nevertheless, That where, on 
account of the steepness of side hills or rocks, which render it 
impracticable in any point or place thereof to make and finish 
said road as laid out by the commissioners, for that purpose 
to be appointed, of the full width as above described, it shall 
and may be lawful for the said president and directors to 
cause the same to be made and finished of such less width as 
may be practicable without a ditch on the lower side, but in 
no place however to be contracted of a less width than twenty 
feet : Provided the lower side of such road, where the same 
shall not be of its full width, shall be furnished with a strong 
and sufficient fender or railing of the heighth of at least three 
feet above the surface of the road along which the same shall 
be constructed. 

And be it further enacted. That as soon as the president 
and directors shall have completed the said road or ten miles 
thereof, it shall be lawful for the said president and directors 
to give notice thereof to the person administering the govern- 
ment of this state, for the time being, who shall thereupon, 
forthwith nominate and appoint three discreet freeholders, and 



133 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

not interested in any turnpike road, to view the same and to 
report to bim in writing, whether such part of the said road 
is completed in a workmanlike manner, according to the true 
intent and meaning of this act, and if the report shall be in the 
affirmative then it shall be the duty of the person adrainister- 
iug the government of this state, and he is hereby required, by 
license under his hand and the privy seal of the state, to per- 
mit the said president and directors to make and erect so many 
gates and turnpikes across and upon the said road, as will be 
necessary and sufficient to collect the duties and tolls herein- 
after granted to the said corporation, from all persons travel- 
ling or using the same : Provided, that the gates upon the 
said road shall be erected at a distance of ten miles from each 
other, as nearly as the situation and circumstances will admit; 
and if there should be a considerable excess over and above 
an even number of ten miles a gate may be erected for the 
purpose of collecting the toll for such excess, or if such excess 
should be small the toll for the same may be added to the toll 
at the nearest gate, and be collected with it at the discretion 
of the directors. 

And be it further enacted, That as soon as the whole or any 
part of the said road shall be completed, and permission so as 
aforesaid granted to erect a gate or gates and turnpikes upon 
and across the same, it shall and may be lawful for the said 
president and directors to appoint toll gatherers to collect 
and receive of and from all and every person or persons using 
the said road, at each and every of the said gates, the tolls and 
duties hereinafter mentioned, and no more, that is to say; any 
number of miles not less than ten in length of the said road 
the following sums of money, and so in proportion for any 
greater or less distance, or for any greater or less number of 
sheep, hogs, cattle, horses or mules, as follows, for every score 
of sheep or hogs, eight cents ; for every score of cattle, horses 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 134 

or mules, twenty cents; for every horse rode, four cents ; for 
every horse led or driven, three cents ; for every chair, sulkey, 
chaise or other pleasure carriage, with one horse, twelve and 
an half cents; for every cait drawn by one horse, six cents; for 
every chariot, coach, coachee or phaeton, or any other four 
wheel pleasure carriage, twenty five cents ; for every stage, 
waggon or other four wheel carriage drawn by two horses, 
mules or oxen, twelve and an half cents, and three cents for 
every additional horse, mule or ox ; and for every cart drawn 
by two oxen twelve and an half cents and three cents for every 
additional horse, mule or ox ; for every sleigh or sled, eight 
cents if drawn by two horses, mules or oxen, and in like pro- 
portion if drawn by a greater or lesser number of horses, mules 
or oxen : And it shall and may be lawful for any toll gatherer, 
to stop and detain any persons riding, leading or driving any 
horse, mule, cattle, sheep or hogs, sulkey, chair, phaeton,chaise, 
cart, waggon, sleigh or other carriage of burthen or pleasure 
from passing through any of the said turnpike gates, until they 
shall have respectively paid the tolls as above specified : 

Provided, That nothing in this act shall be construed to en- 
title the said corporation to demand or receive toll at any gate 
or of or from any person passing to or from public worship, 
his farm or a funeral, or to or from any grist mill for the grind- 
ing of grain for his or her family's use, or to or from a black- 
smith's shop to which he usually resorts, or from any person 
residing within two miles of said gates or from any person or 
persons who are entitled to vote when going to and from town- 
meeting or election for the purpose of giving a vote, or from 
any person going for or returning with a physician or midwife, 
or from any juror or witness going to or returning from court, 
having been legally summoned or subpoenaed, or from any 
troops in the service of this state or of the United States, or 
for any artillery waggons and other carriages or stores of 



135 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

any kind iu the service of or belonging to this state or the 
United States, or from any person or persons going to or re- 
turning from any training where, by the laws of this state, they 
are required to attend ; and whenever any person or persons 
shall claim to be exempt from paying toll by virtue of any of 
the exceptions aforesaid, and if any person claiming such ex- 
emptions, and being thereby exempted from paying toll, shall 
thereafter be found not legally entitled thereto, he shall, for 
every such offense, forfeit and pay to the said corporation the 
sum of five dollars, to be recovered with costs of suit : And 
provided also that not more than the one half of the above toll 
shall be demanded or received from any waggon or other car- 
riage passing upon the said road, the tire or track of the 
wheel whereof is more than six inches wide, nor more than 
the one fourth of the above toll for those above nine inches 
wide ; and that all carriages the tire or track of the wheel 
whereof is twelve inches wide, shall pass said road free, with- 
out paying any toll whatever ; and that the president and di- 
rectors shall cause to be affixed and kept up, at or over each 
gate in some conspicuous place where it may be conveniently 
read, a printed or painted list of all the rates of toll which 
may be lawfully demanded. 

And be it further enacted, that the said corporation shall 
cause mile stones or posts to be erected and maintained, one 
for each mile of the said road, and on each stone or post shall 
be fairly and legibly inscribed or marked the distance the said 
stone or post is from Kingsbury ; and if any person shall break 
or throw down, or cut down, deface or injure any of the said 
mile-stones or posts so to be erected or shall wilfully break or 
throw down any of the said gates or turnpikes, or shall dig up 
or spoil any part of said road, or any thing thereunto belong- 
ing or shall forcibly pass either of the said gates, without 
having previously paid the legal toll, such person or persons 



HISTORY OF ELI2ABETHT0WN 136 

sliall, for every such offense or injury forfeit and pay the sum 
of twenty-five dollars to be recovered by the said corporation? 
to their use, in an action of debt, with costs of suit, in any 
court having cognizance thereof ; and if any person or persons 
shall, with his team, carriage or horse, turn out of the said 
road to pass either of the said gates on ground adjacent thereto 
and again enter on said road, having passed the said gate or 
gates to avoid the payment of the toll due by this act, such 
person or persons shall forfeit and pay a fine not exceeding 
five dollars, to be recovered in like manner by the said corpo- 
ration, to their own use, with costs of suit, in any court having 
cognizance thereof. 

And be it further enacted, That if any toll gatherer shall 
unreasonably delay or hinder any traveller or passenger at 
either of the said gates, or shall demand and receive more toll 
than is by this act established, he shall, for every such offence, 
forfeit and pay ten dollars, to be recovered by the person so 
unreasonably detained, or from whom such unreasonable toll 
shall have been demanded and received, for his own use, with 
costs of suit, in any court haviog cognizance thereof. 

And be it further enacted. That the shares in the said Turn- 
pike road shall be deemed and considered to be personal es- 
tate, and be transferable in such manner as the said president 
and directors may direct. 

And be it further enacted. That it shall and may be lawful 
for the said president and directors at any time after the com- 
pletion of said road, to lessen the rate of toll or duties or to 
take away or open, or cause to be kept open one or more of 
the gates on said turnpike. 

And be it further enacted. That the president and directors 
of the said corporation shall keep a fair and just account of 
all monies received or to be received by the several collectors 
of toll on said road, and shall make and declare a dividend of 



137 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

the clear profits and income (all contingent costs and charges 
being first deducted) among the stockholders of the said cor- 
poration, on the fourth Mondays of March and September in 
every year, and shall publish the same among the stockholders, 
and the time and place when and where the same will be paid, 
and shall cause the same to be paid accordingly. 

And be it further enacted, that the president and directors 
shall, within six months after the said road shall be completed, 
lodge in the office of the comptroller of this State, an account 
of the expenses thereof, and the corporation shall annually 
exhibit to the comptroller a true account of the dividends aris- 
ing from said toll, with the annual disbursements. 

And be it further enacted, That it shall and may be lawful 
for the president and directors, to demand from the stockhold- 
ers respectively, all such sums of money by them subscribed 
or to be subscribed, at such times and in such proportions as 
they shall see fit, and the said stockholders shall pay the same 
under pain of forfeiture of their shares, and all the previous 
payments thereon, to the said president, directors and com- 
pany ; and that after the full amount of the six thousand shares, 
shall have been appropriated and expended by the said presi- 
dent and directors, for the purpose of making a good and suffi- 
cient road between the places aforesaid, and the sum so ap- 
propriated shall be found insufficient to effect the purposes 
aforesaid, it shall and may be lawful for the said president and 
directors, in order to complete the said road and turnpike to 
increase or raise the funds of the said corporation, by adding 
a sum, not exceeding five dollars to each and every share in 
the whole stock, which sum, so to be added shall be in an 
equal ratio upon each and every share to be collected and 
paid in manner aforesaid, and subject on default of payment 
to the pains and forfeitures aforesaid, to be applied to no other 
uses then as aforesaid. 





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HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 140 

And be it farther enacted, That the legislature may dissolve 
the said corporation when the income arising from the said 
toll shall have been paid and compensated the said corpo- 
ration for all monies they may have expended in purchas- 
ing and making said road, together with an interest thereon of 
ten per centum per annum, besides the expense of repairing 
and taking care of said road, and thereupon the right, interest 
and property of the said corporation, shall be vested in the 
people of this state, and be and remain at their disposal : 
Provided, That if the said corporation shall not commence 
their operations within two years and shall not within ten 
years thereafter complete the same, according to the intent 
and meaning of this act, then and in either case this act shall 
cease, and be void and of no effect. 

And be it further enacted, That the whole extent of the road 
hereby incorporated, shall for the purpose of being inspected, 
be divided by the said president and directors into five equal 
districts and be distinguished by the first, second, third, fourth 
and fifth inspection districts, of the great northern turnpike 
road; to each of which districts, shall be appointed by the 
person administering the government of this state and subject 
to removal by him at discretion, a discreet freeholder in the 
county in which said district may be, as commissioner, who 
shall be in no way interested in the said corporation ; whose 
duty it shall be on accepting the said appointment, from time 
to time, and especially upon complaint made to him in writ- 
ing subscribed by the complainant, of the insufficiency of the 
said road in any part thereof within his district, and when- 
ever he shall find the same out of repair or obstructed by snow, 
to give notice thereof in writing to the keeper of the 
nearest toll gate on such road, or to the president or any of 
the directors of the said corporation, and it is hereby made 
the duty of the said president and directors, immediately upon 



141 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

such notice to cause such road to be well and sufficiently re- 
paired and amended or opened as the case may require, or 
otherwise to open the gate that shall be nearest to that part 
of the road so out of repair or obstructed by snow, and kept 
open until said repairs are made or opened as the case may 
require, under the penalty of ten dollars, for every neglect of 
forty-eight hours, in opening or repairing such road, or the 
gate opened as aforesaid, to be sued for by such commissioner, 
and recovered with costs of suit in an action of debt in any 
court having cognizance thereof ; which penalty when recov- 
ered shall without delay be paid over to the overseers of the 
poor of the town in which such forfeiture shall have been in- 
curred, for the use of the poor of said town ; and it is hereby 
made the duty of such commissioner, upon notice in writ- 
ing received from the president or any of the directors of the 
said corporation, to examine and determine whether such road 
shall have been sufficiently repaired and amended or opened, 
and to direct accordingly, but from every such decision of a 
commissioner there shall be a right of appeal by the said pres- 
ident and directors to the commissioners of the other in- 
spection districts of the said road, whose decision therein shall 
be final ; that every of said commissioners shall be entitled to 
and receive a compensation for his services aforesaid, at the 
rate of two dollars and fifty cents for every day he shall be 
necessarily engaged therein, but no one commissioner shall for 
viewing and inspecting within his own district, except on 
the application of the president or any of the directors, be en- 
titled to a compensation exceeding two days wages in any one 
month of the year ; that the compensation hereby authorized 
to any such commissioner shall be paid to him quarter yearly, 
if required, out of the funds of the corporation, and that such 
accounts for services shall if required, be attested to by such 
commissioner before the same shall be payable : Provided 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 142 

however, That every such commissioner, before he eoter upon 
the duties above assigned, shall first take and subscribe an 
oath or affirmation, before any judge or justice of the peace of 
the county in which he shall reside, faithfully and impartially 
to the best of his judgment to execute the trust reposed in him 
by this act, and cause to be delivered to the president or any 
of the directors of the said corporation a certificate of such 
judge or justice, of his having taken the said oath, or made 
the said affirmation. 

And be it further enacted, That no director shall contract 
or be directly or indirectly concerned in any contract, for the 
erecting or making of any part or portion of the said road ; 
and in case that any contractor shall be disposed to contract 
with any other person or persons whatsoever for the making 
of any part of the said road so contracted for by him (except 
the hiring of hands, cattle or carriages, as the case may be) 
such contractor shall lay the said contract before the board of 
directors, with the sum and particular circumstances relative 
thereto and if the directors shall approve of the same, then and 
in that case it shall be lawful for such contractor to make such 
contract and not otherwise. 

And be it further enacted. That if any toll gatherer shall be 
convicted of either of the ofi'ences mentioned in this act, and 
it shall appear by the return of any execution, which shall be 
issued against him, on such conviction, that the monies or any 
part thereof cannot be had from him, the corporation shall be 
liable for the deficiency. 

And be it further enacted, That this act shall be and the 
same is hereby declared a public act. 

State of New York. 
In Assembly, March 23d, 1805. 
This bill having been read the third time — 



143 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Resolved tbat the bill do pass. 
By order of the Assembly. 

' ALEXR. SHELDON, Speaker. 

State op New York. 

In Senate, April 2d, 1805. 

Tliis bill having been read the third time — 

Resolved, That the bill do pass. 

By order of the Senate, 

JNO. BROOME, Presidt. 

Id Council of Revision, 
April the 4th, 1805. 

Resolved, That it does not appear improper to the council^ 
that this bill should become a law of this state. 

MORGAN LEWIS, 

It will be noted that Theodorus Ross, at that time Member 
of Assembly from Essex County, was appointed one of the 
"commissioners to do and perform the several duties," etc. 
Elkanah Watson, another of the commissioners named, resided 
at Port Kent, being the father of Hon. Winslow C. Watson, 
who is so often quoted in this book. Benjamin Mooers, James 
Rogers, Pliny Moore and Micajah Pettit, and in fact all of the 
commissioners, were well-known throughout this northern 
section. 

The Act it will be noted became law by the signature of 
Morgan Lewis, then Governor of New York. 

Followiog is a copy of "A Field Book of the Minutes of the 
Great Northern Turnpike Road" filed in the Essex County 
Clerk's office : 

A FIELD BOOK of the Minutes of the Great Northern 
Turnpike Road laid out through the County of Essex, in 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 



144 



the State of New York, Beginning on the south line of said 
County west of the Schroon Lake in the town of Schroon from 
thence, 

North 10 deg E 30 ch 50 

N26E9 

N 10 deg 15 min E 23 

N 22 E 6 Mile No. 41 

Same course 8 



29 deg 40 E 10 

N 47 40 E 

N68E 

N 54 deg 15 E 

N 38 40 E 

Same course 

N 37 30 E 

N21 E 

N 1 deg 20 E 

Same course 

North 

N 49E 

Same course 



2 

17 

25 

18 to Mile 42 



49 
12 

11 to Mile 43 

31 to Baker's Tavern 

35 ch 

14 to Mile 44 Whiles Brook at ^ ch 

22 

N 57 deg 35 min E 28 at 23 Mill Pond 
N 18 E 30 to Mile 45 

Same course 76 at 60 chains from last angle head of 

Schroon Lake 
then N 10 E 4 to Mile 46 

Same course 40 

N 22 deg 30 min E 30 



N 19 45 E 


10 to Mile 47 & No 12 Brook 


Same course 


12 


N 1 deg 15 E 


18 


N 17 deg 45 E 


14 


N 12 30 E 


6 


N 20 45 E 


11 


N940E 


10 


Nl W 


6 


N5W 


3 to Mile 48 


Same course 


5 


N 7 deg 40 W 


5 



145 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWK" 



N125E 
N 15 30 E 

N 2 deg 20 W 
N23E 

N8E 

N15E 

N15E 

N48E 

N30E 

N5E 

N 0020 t E 

N6E 

N 3 deg 40 E 

N 17 deg 20 E 

N 9 deg 25 W 

N 32 W 

N64 W 

N37 W 

N9 W 

Same course 

N21E 

N 58 deg 45 E 

N 2 deg 35 E 

N39E 

N56E 

N42E 

Same course 

N53E 

N52E 

N20E 

Same course 

N 12 deg 35 E 

N5W 

N 19 30 E 

N63E 

S86E 

N 78 30 E 

N27E 

N33E 



6 



13 

7 

16 

20 to Mile 49 

4ch 

6 Falls on Schroon Elver at 4 chain© 
4 

5 

7 

10 

5.50 to Brook 

1 

8 50 

2 

13 

7 

7 to Mile 50 
10 

2 

4 

8 

6 

7 

43 to Mile 51 

25 

9 

12 

34 to Mile 52 

15 

8 to Johnson's Bridge 
20 

15 to Brook at 3 chains 

6 chains 

2 

4 

2 

8 to Mile 53 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 



146 



Same course 

N38E 

N 6 deg 20 W 

N37 W 

N 28 deg 20 E 

N45E 

N18E 

N35E 

N7E 

Same course 

NIO W 

NIOE 

N 43 deg 15 E 

N14E 

N 21 30 E 

N37E 

N 27 deg 30 E 

N19E 

N 21 30 E 

N85E 

S89E 

N35E 

N30E 

N23E 

N14W 

N13E 

N40E 

S77E 

N79E 

N46E 

N60E 

N5130 

N30E 

N20E 

Same course 

N37E • 

N 13 deg 25 E 

N59 W 

N48 W 



E 



14 

5 

5 

8 

4 

23 



75 L 



6 

6 25 to Mile 54 

3 

6 

10 

3 to Bank of Scaroon River 

7 

6 

5 

31 

9 to Mile 55 

6 

4 

6 

2 

2 

3 ch 

8 

5 

10 

4 

4 

6 

3 

9 

3 

5 to Mile No. 56 

3 

8 

9 Black Brook 

12 

15 



147 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 



N7 W 


4 


N26E 


5 


N40E 


17 


N 23 20 E 


7 to Mile 57 


Same course 


6 


N 33 deg 20 E 


74 to Mile 58 


Same course 


12 


N 47 30 E 


12 Scaroon River 2 chains 


N 33 30 E 


11 


N 41 40 E 


35 


N 34 20 E 


5 


N29E 


4 to Mile 59 


Same course 


2 


N640E 


22 ch 


N29E 


56 to Mile 60 


Same course 


43 


N34E 


6 


N 13 E 


2 


N9 W 


2 


N 46 30 W 


7 


N8 15 W 


14 on left bank of Scaroon Eiver 


N22E 


6 to Mile No 61 


Same course 


3 


N 12 deg 15 E 


19 


N 21 deg 30 W 


11 


N16 W 


14 


N18 W 


25 


N 7 deg 35 E 


8 to Mile No 62 Brook 2 chains back of 




mile 62 


Same course 


4 


N20E 


20 


N39E 


26 


N 79 30 E 


4 


N 41 35 E 


4 


N 34 30 E 


10 a small Brook at 6 ch 


N56E 


5 


N 47 deg 15 E 


7 to Mile No 63 


N22E 


3 


N62E 


5 ch 




WILLIAM WHITMAN ROOT, 
Standing in Front of Noble Store. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 



150 



N 51 deg 30 E 


13 




N67E 


12 


N 45 40 E 


5 


N21E 


10 


N 1 deg 30 W 


5 


N18 W 


27 to Mile No 64 west bank of Scroon 




Eiver 2 ch from Last M 


Same course 


11 


N29 W 


6 


N20 W 


10 


N 33 deg 30 W 


5 


NIO W 


27 


N36W 


5 to the last noted Bk 


N30 W 


15 


N36W 


1 to Mile No 65 


Same course 


20 to Small Creek 


N21 W 


5 


N39W 


9 at 7 chains to the above creek 


N 49 deg 45 W 


13 up the creek 


N30W 


3 


NIOE 


3 


N20E 


8 


N 42 deg 30 E 


11 


N 24 30 E 


8 to Mile 66 


North 24 30 E 


7ch 


ioBouquette River 


N47E 


8 1 




N 52 20 E 


6 




N50E 


3 


Down along the banks 


N58E 


6 50 


of the Eiver 


N 23 deg 30 E 


4 50 




N36E 


3 




N55E 


8 


N 7740 E 


13 


N38E 


6 


N64E 


5 


N79E 


4 


N57E 


4 


N 27 30 E 


2 to Mile 67 


Same course 


2 


• 



151 



HISl:ORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 



N 75 30 E 

N80E 

N 73 deg 25 E 

N 51 deg 15 E 

N73E 

N 62 40 E 

N 69 deg 30 

N 33 deg 25 T^ 

N 20 deg 30 E 

N42E 

N65E 

Same course 

N37E 

N32E 

N6E 

N 53E 

>] 58 35 E 

K 74E 

N57E 

N 70 deg 25 E 

N 79E 

N66E 

N 62 35 E 

N68E 

N50E 

N36E 

Same course 

N 22 30 E 

N17E 

N 62E 

N57E 

N51E 

North 18 deg 20 E 

N2 W 

N35E 



14 the south bank of the Bouquette 7 ell 
10 

8 through a beaver meadow^ 
10 

3 

10 

9 

4 

3ch 

3 

4 to Mile 68 

2 

6 

6 

9 50 through Bouquette Iliver 8 Ch 
13 

11 50 to a small brook 
2 1 
6 I 

Along the northwest 
bank of the Bouquette ri^et 



^ 



J 



7 to Mile 69 

4 

4 

12 

6 

23 A small brook at rock 

9 

7 

12 

3 to Mile 70 



1 The beaver meadow referred to is now the Meagher flat. The Meagher place has long 
been known as the Beaver Meadow Farm. There are at least three other beaver meadows in 
Elizabethtown — The Four Mile Beaver Meadow just Cast of Rogers Mountain, the Two 
Mile Beaver Meadow on the Nigger Hill Lot and the one just east of Lobdell Hill, so-called. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 



152 



Same course 


3 




N46E 


45 




N 57 deg 40 E 


26 




N40E 


6 to Mile 71 (New Kussia) 




Same course 


4 




N 25 deg 15 E 


32 




N 33 deg 35 E 


21 




N430E 


18 to Roaring Branch 




N 10 30 W 


5 to Mile 72 




Same course 


43 




N 3 deg 15 E 


32 




N 12 deg 15 W 


5 to Mile 73 




Same course 


11 




N7E 


15 




N36E 


9 




N 56 deg 30 E 


13 




N 22 30 E 


14 




N35E 


18 to Mile 74 




Same course 


16 




N 15 30 E 


10 ch 




N 11 20 W 


13 




N 44 40 E 


41 to Mile 75 




Same course 


9 




N54E 


8 




N62E 


15 




N65E 


33 




N63E 


5 at 2 cli S. Branch of Bouqt River 
abethtown village) 


(Eliz- 


N44E 


10 to Mile 76 




Same course 


5 




N 27 30 E 


12 




N45E 


15 




N 53 30 E 


9 




N33E 


34 




N 52 30 E 


5 to Mile 77 




Same course 


8 




N47E 


13 




IS 41 deg 15 E 


13 




N 18 30 E 


14 





153 



HISTORY OF ELIZAfiETHTOWN 



N3E 

N 50 30 E 

N16E 
N16E 

N 5 deg W 

N 31 35 E 

Same course 

N13E 

N18E 

N 30 deg 15 E 

N23E 

N 12 30 E 

Same course 

N19E 

N3 W 

N 13E 

Same course 

N2 W 

N8E 

N 24 20 E 

Same course 

N49E 

Same course 

N20E 

Same course 

North 19 E 

N20E 

N5E 

Same course 

N39E 



N12E 

Same course 
N39E 
N 49 30 E 
Same course 
N46E 



10 a brook at 2 ch (Brook on which The 
Windsor Farm Fish Pond is located) 

15 to Mile 78 
27 ch 

50 a brook at 12 ch. 

3 ch to Mile 79 
8 

27 
5 

18 
6 

16 to Mile 80 
21 

36 

8 a Brook at 7 ch 

15 to Mile 81 

12 

42 a brook at 35 ch 

22 

4 to Mile 82 
6Q 

14 to Mile 83 

41 

30 to Mile 84 

3 

44 

25 

8 to Mile 85 

64 

6 at 1 ch N. W. Branch of Bouquettcj- 
(The old Buck Stand, now the prop- 
erty of Thomas Jefiferson Cross) 

10 to Mile 86 

48 

10 

22 to Mile 87 

17 

20 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN l54 

iir 50 E 14 

N 55 E 29 to Mile 88 

Same course 70 

N 28 E 10 to Mile 89 

N 27 deg 20 E 36 

i^ 19 40 E 9 

iST 48 E 3 

N 21 E 13 

1sri5E 8 

N 12 E 5 to Mile No 90 

Same course 5 

N 27 30 E 4 

iST 14 E 13 

N27E 15 

N19E 7 

K 45 E 10 

K24E 9 

N 39 E 10 

N25E 7 to Mile 91 

Same course 43 

K 11 25 6 

N 28 E 11 Opposite the head of Butternut Pond 

K 16 20 E 20 to Mile 92 

Same course 10 

K 3 E 42 end of the pond at 26 ch. 

N 22 E 28 to Mile No 93 

Same course 25 

N 6 deg 30 E 43 

N 47 deg 40 E 12 to Mile No 94 

Same course 12 

North 41 deg 30 E 52 to 

N 42 E 16 to Mile 95 

Same course 33 to Esqr Mc imbars 

N 35 E 47 to Mile No 96 Auger Pond brook at 

40 ch 

Same course 80 to Mile 97 
N 35 E 24 ch 

N 65 E 8 at one chain last noted brook 

N 13 deg 15 E 42 



155 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

N 15 30 W 6 to Mile 98 

Same course 80 to Mile 99 

Same course 52 

N 4 E 12 50 

N 37 W 8 50 

N 72 W 3 50 to the Great Ausable River on the 

south bounds of Clinton County at the High Bridge ; there is 
generally at the termination of each of the preceding courses 
a monument on which is marked with red chalk the letters G. 
N. T. P. and the line is further designated with two notches 
and a blaze and is to be considered the center of the road as 
laid out by the Commissioners appointed for that purpose by 
his Excellency the Governor of the State of New York forma- 
ble to an act of the Legislature of said State passed the 4th 
day of April, 1805. 

WILLIAM BEAUMONT,) 

GEORGE NELSON, V Commissioners. 

BERIAH PALMER, ) 

SAMUEL YOUNG, Surveyor. 

This route, it will be recalled, was surveyed just sixteen 
years after Piatt Rogers and party had surveyed and cut 
through the Schroon and Boquet valleys. A map of the 
route was made at the time and is now on file in the Essex 
County Clerk's office. And it happens that Young's survey 
of the Great Northern Turnpike route was made Just a century 
ago. It is indeed a long way back to 1805 — an even 100 years 
— and those who inhabited this region at that period have all 
plunged into the interminable wilderness lying on the opposite 
slope beyond the Great Divide and as there are no human 
links to connect the present with the far away past — no chance 
to get spoken words from them to weave into history their 
acts, it is refreshing to students of history to find occasionally 



HISTORY OF ELiZABETHTOWN 156 

a written record of achievement — an oasis in the desert, so to 
speak. 

In connection with the Great Northern Turnpike is found 
the first mention of toll-gates and mile-posts in Northern 
New York. 

(Explanatory matter in parentheses inserted by author.) 



157 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 



The Forming of Lewis and Essex and the Arrival of Pollaus Aurelius 
Newell in Elizabethtow^n. 

The town of Lewis was formed from Willsborough April 4, 
1805, being so named in honor of Governor Morgan Lewis. 
Governor Morgan Lewis owned land in the town of Lewis, 
having purchased it from General Philip Schuyler, whose 
death occurred only a few months before the town of Lewis 
was "set off" from Willsborough. 

The town of Essex was also formed from Willsborough April 
4, 1805. The name Essex, as applied to county and town, was 
taken from Essex, England. 

Search of records in the Essex County Clerk's office reveals 
the fact that Azel Abel conveyed three acres and thirty-three 
rods of land to Pollaus Aurelius Newell, the warranty deed 
bearing date September 18, 1805, the consideration being 
$1,400. Pollaus Aurelius Newell followed Azel Abel as a hotel 
keeper, being located on the bank of the Little Boquet. The 
Newell hotel stood between where the old log hotel of Azel 
Abel stood and where the present Maplewood Inn stands. 
The hotel of Pollaus A. Newell was built of brick and wood 
and the barn stood near where the front piazza of Maplewood 
Idu is now located. Pollaus A. Newell's wife, the accom- 
plished lady of the old Valley House, was in her maiden days 
Anna Calkin. Their children were Rosamond Amelia, Julia 
Ann, Helen, Annette, Rosetta and Henry. 

Rosamond Amelia Newell married Captain Hall of Ver- 
gennes, Vt. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 160 

Julia Add Newell married Harry Adams, a son of Friend 
Adams of Adams Ferry (Lake Champlain) fame. Harry 
Adams put up the building on the Plain in Elizabethtown vil- 
lage which is to-day owned and occupied by Mrs. Ellen R. Bur- 
bank and the Misses Perry. The building was put up for a 
store and as such was occupied by Harry Adams for several 
years. Julia Ann Newell survived her husband many years, 
dying recently in extreme old age. 

Helen Newell never married. 

Annette and Rosetta Newell, both died in the west. 

Henry Newell was a bright pupil, a leader in the old spelling 
school events of three-quarters of a century ago. He died in 
early manhood. There is living in Elizabethtown village one 
man — Alonzo McD. Finney — who remembers Henry Newell 
well, having taken part in the old fashioned spelling school 
events way back in the latter 20s when Joel Emmes was 
teacher here. 



161 HISTORY OF ELIZABETH7T0WN 



Settlement of Simonds Hill, 

That portion of Elizabethtown known as Simonds Hill is a 
plateau located in the southeastern part of the township. Si- 
monds Hill is about 500 feet above the Boquet River. The 
name Simonds Hill is from the first settler of the locality, 
Captain Gardner Simonds. The date of the settlement of Si- 
monds Hill has been erroneously given as 1792. On page 467 
of the History of Essex County edited by H. P. Smith and 
published by D. Mason & Co., Syracuse, N. Y., in 1885, one 
finds the following : 

"Simonds Hill derived its name from Gardner and Erastus 
Simonds, who located there about 1792." 

Again, on page 301 of the Gazetteer of New York by J. H. 
French, LL. D., (issued in 1860) one finds that Gardner Si- 
monds came into Elizabethtown "about 1792." 

However, by referring to page 32 of this book it will be seen 
that Dr. Asa Post credits Gardner Simonds with first locating on 
"the south 100 acres of lot No. 6," in the Boquet Yalley. The 
Gardner Simonds referred to by Dr. Asa Post is the old Cap- 
tain after whom Simonds Hill was named. And it is probably 
true that he came into the Boquet Yalley "about 1792." 
However, the Gardner and Erastus Simonds mentioned in the 
Essex County history were sons of Captain Gardner Simonds 
and were mere boys, as it were, in 1792. Inasmuch as Cap- 
tain Gardner Simonds moved from the farm (lot No. 6) in the 
Boquet Yalley after about 12 years residence there and located 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BET HTOWN 162 

at the top of the bill on the road leading east from what is 
now known as New Russia, on a lot in Morgan's 500 acre Pat- 
ent, Iron Ore Tract, it must have been about 1805 that he 
"went up higher." 

Captaio Gardner Simonds' wife was a Titus, a sister of the 
noted hunter Titus of Moriah, and it might be added here that 
the old Captain was himself something of a hunter.^ 

Captain Gardner Simonds' children were Erastus, William, 
Gardner, Jr., Willard, Lloyd, Diresey. 

Erastus Simonds married Lydia Rowe, a sister of Leland 
Rowe. Their children were all born on Simonds Hill as fol- 
lows, the dates being taken from the family Bible in posses- 
sion of Clinton H. Simonds : 

Barlow, born Sept. 23, 1805. 

William, born Sept. 10, 1808. 

Jenks, born April 25, 1812. 

Lyuds Willard, born Oct. 18, 1813. 

Leland Rowe, born May 14, 1817. 

Elijah, born Feb. 10, 1821. 

Almira, born May 30, 1823. 

Lydia, born May 22, 1824. 

Erastus, Jr., born June 24, 1829. 

Melissa, born August 12, 1833. 

Barlow Simonds married and lived in Vermont. He had a 
son Andrew who married Sarah Lewis, daughter of David 
Lewis and sister of the late Ira Lewis. 

William Simonds married Lydia Minerva Hanchett,a daugh- 
ter of Squire Hanchett. They became famous as Landlord 

I It would be base ingratitude on the part of the author of Pleasant Valley not to acknowl- 
edge that a large part of the material regarding the settlement of Simonds Hill was furnished 
by the venerable Alonzo McD. Finney, who was born in a log house on that plateau Febru- 
ary 20, i8i6, and who still lives, being the last survivor of a large family of children. Again, 
the information furnished by Mr. Finney is supplemented by the result of an intimate per- 
sonal acquaintance on the part of the writer with the late Elijah Simonds covering a period 
of over a quarter of a century. 



163 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

and Landlady in this section, operating no less than fonr dif- 
ferent hotels, beginning with the house at Black or Simonds 
Pond, later the Valley House in Elizabethtowu village and 
when that burned Feb. 21, 1859, they moved across the Lit- 
tle Boquet into what was locally known in the spring of 1861 
as Fort Sumpter, (generally later known as the American 
House) and finally, in connection with Orlando Kellogg, built 
the Mansion House in 1874, to-day known as Deer's Head Inn. 
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Simonds were Sarah Jane, 
who married Theodore C. Lamson, and Helen Ann, who mar- 
ried Orlando Kellogg, proprietor of "The Windsor," Elizabeth- 
town's largest hotel. 

Jenks Simonds died young. 

Lynds Willard Simonds married Elizabeth Wise, daughter 
of Deacon Enos Wise. 

Leland Rowe Simonds married Phebe A. Hanchett, a daugh- 
ter of Squire Hanchett. After her death he married Mrs. 
Almira Gaft, a daughter of Samuel B. Pratt of Lewis. Leland 
R. Simonds' children by his first wife were Lomira A., who 
married E. O. Wait ; Marcia, who married Fayette L. 
Miller ; Victoria, who married John Liberty ; Alonzo W., who 
married Elizabeth Darrah. 

Leland R. Simonds' children by his second wife were Clin- 
ton H.> who married Emma Pratt, Phebe, who died young, 
and Hattie, who married Carl Hodgkins. 

Elijah Simonds married Rosamond Gowett. Their children 
were Mary and Nellie. 

Lydia Simonds married in Vermont. 

Captain Gardner Simonds' son William left Elizabethtowu 
early in life and little is known of his history after his depart- 
ure from this section. 

Gardner Simonds, Jr., married Betsey Brown. They had 
no children. His family being broken up, he lived an irregu- 



HISTORY OF ELTZABETHTOWN 164 

lar life, spent mostly in hunting, trapping and fishing. He 
went over into the Tnpper Lake region where he camped for 
several 3'ears. A pond in that region was called Simonds 
Pond, being named after him. 

Willard Simonds married Lucy Brownson, daughter of 
Selah Brownson. Their children were William, Nancy, Elvira, 
Almira. 

William Simonds, the son Willard Simonds, married Cynthia 
Phinney. 

Nancy Simonds married Chauncey Denton. 

Almira Simonds married for her first husband Dana Wake- 
field. Her second husband was Collins Titus of Moriah. 

Elvira Simonds married Frank B. Deyoe. 

Lloyd Simonds married Eliza James and moved to Michi- 
gan. 

Direxey Simonds married Luther Wait and moved west with 
a family of several children. 

The Simonds family had a great love for the woods. Most 
of the male members of the family were natural mechanics,there 
being several carpenters and coopers. At least sis members of 
the Simonds family played the fiddle and some were drum- 
mers and fifers. 

Ithai Judd, Elizabethtown's pioneer surveyor, married 
Achsah Noble, and came here from Oneida County and with 
Moses Noble (brother-in-law) first settled on the east side of 
the Boquet Biver where the trail from Lake Champlain, by 
way of Little Pond, came down into the Boquet Valley. After 
a few years residence on the trail mentioned Ithai Judd moved 
up on to an Iron Ore Tract lot where he lived the remainder 
of a long and useful life, being a farmer and surveyor. He 
was employed in allotting the Iron Ore Tract. He had two 
daughters ; Olive, the eldest daughter, died young ; Achsah 



165 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

moved with her mother to Oneida County and married Thomas 
Bishop. She died in old age, leaving several children. 

David Brown, adopted son of Ithai Judd, took the name 
of his benefactor and grew to be one of the most active, useful 
men who ever lived in Elizabethtown. He too went "up 
higher," settling on Simonds Hill where he became the "first 
citizen." The David Judd farm (Lots 195 and 196, Iron Ore 
Tract,) is to this day easily distinguished from the other farms 
on Simonds Hill, owing to the long lines of maple trees on the 
roadside which were planted by Mr. Judd's own hands. David 
Judd married for his first wife Euth Shelden, daughter of 
Isaac Shelden of Essex, b}^ which union a son William Shel- 
den was born. 

David Judd's second wife was Harriet Sheldon, a daughter 
of Timothy Sheldon of Westport. He had one daughter by 
the second wife, Caroline Lomira, who married Grove M. 
Harwood. 

David Judd's third wife was Elizabeth Brydia, a daughter 
of William Brydia of Ferrisburg, Vt. No children were 
born of this union. 

"Uncle David," or "Squire Judd," as he was often called, 
was "a hustler from the ground up." He had an extensive 
practice as a surveyor throughout Essex County in early days. 
He filled numerous appointments of a public character, lo- 
cating roads, establishing boundaries, etc. He was associated 
(in 1841) with Nelson J, Beach and Nathan Ingersol, as com- 
missioners, in laying out and constructing a road through the 
Adirondack wilderness from Cedar Point on Lake Cham plain 
to Carthage in Lewis County. This road passed through 
Essex, Hamilton and Herkimer counties. In 1846 Elizabeth- 
town and Moriah were taxed $750 to improve the road con- 
necting the towns, David Judd and Nathaniel Storrs being 
commissioners. 



HISTORY OP ELIZABETHTOWN 166 

William Sheldeo Judd, son of David Judd, married Mary 
A. Bishop, daughter of Jared Bishop of Moriah, and was for 
many years extensively engaged in the iron and lumber busi- 
ness in Elizabethtown in partnership with James S. Whallon 
of Essex. He subsequently moved to Minnesota and for some 
years was in the banking business at Fairbault but removed 
to Minneapolis, where he was for a time engaged in the flour 
business. He finally turned his attention to kimbering, pur- 
chasing a large tract of pine land on the upper Mississippi 
and tributaries, floating logs and timber 400 miles down to 
Minneapolis to be sawed into lumber and prepared for mar- 
ket. He was at one time reputed to be the most extensive 
lumberman in the State of Minnesota but owing to too great 
expansion and change in the markets he finally became in- 
volved financially. He had two children — William, married, 
and engaged in lumbering in Wisconsin, and Ella H., who mar- 
ried a man named Dibble, and is now a widow, living in Min- 
neapolis with her widowed mother. 

Andrew Goodrich, who married Susan Miller, daughter of 
Philip Miller, was the pioneer shoemaker of the Simonds Hill 
section. He located on lot No. 146, Iron Ore Tract. He kept 
a shoe-shop but in many cases he went around, doing the 
work for difl"erent families at their homes, technically called 
in those early days "Whipping the Cat." The children of Mr. 
and Mrs. Andrew Goodrich were Harriet E., James, who be- 
came a Baptist minister, Erastus, Hiram and another daugh- 
ter. All moved west in the fifties. The Goodrich farm is to- 
day known as the Matthew Spell man place. 

Erastus Goodrich, Baptist deacon, married Susan Brown. 
He was a farmer and lived and died across the corner of the 
road from the Simonds Hill school house. His widow mar- 
ried for her second husband Manoah Miller. 

James Goodrich, farmer, married Amanda Mason, daughter 



167 HISTORY OF ELIZA.BETHTOWN 

of Judge Ambrose Mason of Moriab. He eventually moved to 
Loekport. 

Odle Hoose, who fought valiantly in the War of 1812, was 
an early settler at the south end or head of Black Pond 
where he resided for several years. The place was afterwards 
occupied by Andrew and Leonard Bates with their aged wid- 
owed mother and elderly maiden sister. Andrew Bates re- 
mained a bachelor. Leonard Bates subsequently married 
LydiaBrownson, a sister of Ashbel,Selah and Roman Brownson. 
The place was afterwards occupied by one Parks and later 
temporarily by various families but has been abandoned for 
many years. That locality is now generally known as "the 
Parks place." The Parks Brook which flows into Black Pond 
from the west was named after the man mentioned above. 

Christopher Bartlett, who married a Stoddard, came from 
Waitsfield, Vt., in the early part of the settlement and located 
at the outlet of Black Pond. He did some farming but more 
hunting and fishing. He made a specialty of trapping for furs, 
being quite successful. He was a man sis feet in height, pos- 
sessing well developed muscles and a well formed body. Hav- 
ing heard of the celebrated strong man "Jo" Call, the wrestler, 
he expressed a desire to try titles with him. At a public 
gathering in Elizabethtowu village Call and Bartlett were 
brought together and it was arranged that they should wrestle 
"at arms length." Facing each other they took hold. Call 
asked "Are you ready ?" Bartlett answered "All right, ready," 
whereupon Call, with extended arms, raised Bartlett from the 
ground and holding him suspended with his legs and feet 
dangling in the air, suggested that he do his wrestling. Bart- 
lett soon became satisfied that further effort on his part was 
useless and was never afterwards kno^vn to boast of wrestling, 
especially of his meeting with "Jo" Call, the modern Hercules. 




WILLIAM SIMONDS, 
So Long Prominent as a Hotel Man in Elizabethtown. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 170 

This incident was reported by those present in illustration of 
Call's wonderful strength and good humor. 

Christopher Bartlett's children consisted of three sons and 
four daughters — Stoddard, Horace, Judson, Anna, Emeline, 
Julia Ann and Harriet. The Bartlett family moved to Ohio or 
Michigan, then called the "far west." The Bartlett place was 
subsequently occupied successively by Miio Durand, Edward 
Ames, Moses Swinton, Eiley Wolcott, William Simonds, Horace 
Lincoln and is at present occupied by Richard Christian, Sr. 
Stoddard Bartlett is said to have been quite a prodigy, being 
credited with having read the whole Bible during his fourth 
year. 

Moses Noble, brother of Mrs. Ithai Judd, lived several years 
on Simonds Hill. His children were Philo, Edward, Richard, 
Seth and Aaron. Moses Noble moved to Wisconsin late in life. 

Ezra Nichols also settled on an Iron Ore Tract lot. He 
married Polly Brown. Their children were Samuel, Joseph, 
Edmund Brown, Charles D., Chauncey, Haschal, Judson, Mi- 
nerva, Melinda and Eliza. 

Samuel Nichols was drowned, being carried over the dam in 
a boat at New Russia when about 12 years old. 

Joseph Nichols married Lovina Miller, daughter of Philip 
Miller. Their children were Charles Henry and Edwin who 
were in the union army during the civil war. Mariette, a 
daughter, wentto Iowa and married Scott Hall. 

Edmund Brown Nichols married Mary Gates, a daughter of 
Willis Gates. Their children were Dr. Calvin Nichols of Troy, 
Clifford, a farmer of Chazy, N. Y., and one daughter. 

Charles D.Nichols married Adeline Miranda Finney, daugh- 
ter of Anson Finney. Their children were Charles, Clarence, 
William, Alonzo F., Ernest E., Dr. Frank E., Marion and 
Addie. 

Charles D. Nichols and all of the children went west. Dr. Frank 



171 HISTORY OF ELIZABETH7T0WN 

E. Nichols practices medicine in Quincy, III. Dr. Nichols 
visited Elizabethtown about three years since, being the guest 
of his uncle, A. McD. Finney, several days. 

Marion Nichols married Edwin L. Ames. 

Addie Nichols married George M. Hanchett, by which union 
several children were born. 

Chauncey Nichols died on the overland route to California. 

Haschal Nichols moved to Iowa. 

Melinda Nichols married Manoah Miller. 

Eliza Nichols married Benjamin Franklin Perry and moved 
to 111., several children being born of the union. 

Leland Rowe, a veteran school master who served five years 
in the regular army as a musician, married Lucy Durand, a 
daughter of Joseph Francis Durand. Their children were 
William, Jesse, Clarinda, Barlow, Eleanor and Lucy. 

William Rowe never married. 

Jesse Rowe, carpenter and builder, married Amny Storrs 
and moved to Iowa. He visited Elizabethtown last year. 

Clarinda Rowe married Nathaniel Miller. 

Barlow Rowe married in Vermont, where he resides. 

Eleanor Rowe married Jasper Miller. They live in Vermont. 

Lucy Rowe married Sidney Brydia and moved to Hi. 

James Re3'nolds married Polly Durand, also a daughter of 
Joseph Francis Durand. Their children were Eunice, So- 
phronia, Betsey and Madison, the latter being a young boy 
when the family left town and the farm came into the posses- 
sion of David Lewis about 1828, the place now being owned 
by Martin Spellman. 

Eunice Reynolds married Andrew Kile and moved to 111. 

Sophronia Reynolds married Milo Sheldon and moved to St. 
Lawrence County, N. Y. 

Betsey Reynolds married for her first husband a man named 
Wilder, her second husband being Isaac Shaw. Mrs. Shaw 
came back from the west a few years ago to visit the home of 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETFITOWN 172 

her childhood, being then beyond fourscore but remarkably 
well preserved for such an old lady. While Mrs. Shaw was 
visiting the scenes of her childhood it was the writer's good 
fortune to have several long visits with her, pleasant memo- 
ries of which will remain so long as hours of mental clearness 
last. 

Daniel Reynolds, one of the pioneer blacksmiths of Simonds 
Hill, was a peculiarly deformed man, having two club feet. He 
married and moved to Ohio, several children being born of the 
union. 

Thomas Little, another early blacksmith on Simonds Hill, 
settled a half mile east of the school house on the road to what 
has since been known as the "Kingdom." A large clearing in 
that neighborhood is still referred to as the "Little Field." 

Anson Finney was born at Spencertowu, Columbia County, 
N. Y., July 14, 1786, and came into the Boquet Valley with 
his brother Captain Heman Finney in the spring of 1794 and 
lived on a farm during his minority, teaching school some 
when a young man. In 1809 Anson Finney married Esther 
Shelden, daughter of Isaac Shelden of Essex and shortly after- 
wards settled on Lot No. 109, Iron Ore Tract, Simonds Hill. 
The children by this marriage were : James Madison, Russel 
Abel, Alonzo McDonough, Betsey Shelden, Isaac Shelden, 
Adeline Miranda, Aretas Loveland, Philemon Hunt and four 
others who died in infancy. 

James Madison Finney was born March 23, 1810, and died 
March 6, 1832. 

Russel Abel Finney was born March 4, 1811. He married 
Elmira Sanders, a daughter of the late John Sanders, Sr., and 
raised two sons, Solon Burroughs Finney, who married for his 
first wife MarciaRoot, a daughter of the late Col. Samuel Root 
of W"estport, his second wife being a Postville, la., lady, and 
John A. Finney, who lives in California. 



173 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Solon B. Finney's children are Ross, (M. E. preacher of 
ability and standing in the west) Myra, Esther and Harry. 

Russel Abel Finney left Simouds Hill in 1868, going to Iowa. 
He died at Postville, la., May 14, 1876. His widow still sur- 
vives, being in her 90th year, and living at Fayette, la., with 
her son Solon B., who has kindly aided in the preparation of 
this book.^ 

Alonzo McDonough Finney, born Feb. 20, 1816, unmarried, 
lives in Elizabethtown village, which has been his home most 
of the time for 65 years. 

Betsey Shelden Finney was born Jan. 31, 1818, and died 
Sept. 14, 1836, unmarried. 

Isaac Shelden Finney was born Aug. 5, 1820, and died Dec. 
7, 1902. He married Almira Nichols. Their children were 
Llewellyn C, who married Letetia Marlow ; Alice, who died 
at the age of 15 and Minnie, who married Lewis N. Adkins. 

Adeline Miranda Finney was born June 22, 1822, and died 
Jan. 3, 1879. She married Charles D. Nichols, this marriage 
and the children born of it having been before mentioned. 

Philemon Hunt Finney was born Aug. 18, 1826, and died 
Aug. 21, 1829. 

Aretas Lovelaud Finney was born Sept. 9, 1828, and died in 
Chicago, 111., Feb. 22d, 1876. He married Harriet A. Rowley, 
by whom a daughter, Katharyn, was born. 

Anson Finney's first wife was born Dec. 25, 1791, and died 
March 15, 1830. His second wife was Rebecca French. 

The Finney family trace their ancestry back to Mother 
Finney who emigrated to America from England and settled 
at Plymouth, Mass., before 1631. John Finney, a son of Mother 
Finney, married Elizabeth Bailey. Joshua Finney, son of 
John and Elizabeth, was born at Barnstable, Mass., in 1665, 
and married Mercy Watts. Joshua Finney, Jr., son of Joshua 
and Mercy, born at Bristol, R. I., married and had a son John. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 174 

John Finney married Rachel Woodward in Lebanon, Conn., 
in 1743. Letters of administration granted on his estate to 
his son Eleazer, "late of Warren, Conn.," Nov. 10, 1788. Joel 
Finney, son of John and Kachel, was born at Lebanon, Conn., 
in 1744. Joel Finney married Anna Sackett. They lived at 
Kent, Conn., at Spencertown, N. Y., and Monkton, Vt., in 
which latter place Joel Finney died about 1798. Of Joel 
Finney's children there is record of Heman, Joel, Anna Rachel 
Hunt, Elijah, Belinda Lathrop, Miranda Burroughs, Sackett 
and Anson. 

Anna (Sackett) Finney survived her husband nearly 46 years, 
dying at Addison, Vt., Feb. 6, 1844, being in the 93d year of 
her age. She was married but once and had given birth to 
14 children, 6 of whom were living at the time of her decease. 

At the time of her death 57 out of 82 grandchildren were 
living, 188 out of 240 great grandchildren, and 21 out of 22 
great-great grandchildren, thus leaving a line of descendants 
to the 5th generation amounting in all to 358, of whom 270 
were living at the time of her decease. 

Anson Finney and many of his family, all having been reared 
on a farm, in after life engaged in other occupations. In addi- 
tion to their farm duties Russel A., Alonzo McD., Isaac S., 
and Aretas L., each at different periods, held the office of Jus- 
tice of the Peace, and Alonzo McD. that of Supervisor. Alonzo 
McD. and Aretas L. each served as Deputy County Clerk of 
Essex County for many years and their handwriting on the 
records reflects creditably upon their workmanship. 

The Anson Finney family seems to have had a decided pen- 
chant for school teaching, as six members of his immediate 
family were teachers and six others of his descendants of the 
name were also teachers and four descendants of other names, 
making sixteen altogether who have been engaged in that line 
of work. 



175 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Ebenezer Hauchett married a Panfrborn for his first wife. 
His children by the first wife were William F. and Alma. 

William F. Hanchett married Eliza Ferris. Their children 
were John, Levi, Walter, Harriet, Josephine and Sarah J., the 
latter being the widow of the late George Spaulding. William 
F. Hanchett was killed by being cut in two by a circular saw 
in Charles N. Williams' saw-mill when the writer was a small 
boy. 

Alma Hanchett married Davis Durand. 

The children of Ebenezer Hanchett by Mary Collins, his 
second wife, were Silas Howard, Milton, Electa, Fidelia, 
Alzina, Zada Ann, Rachel and Roxy Ann. 

Silas Howard Hanchett married a Crown Point woman 
whose given name is said to have been Jane. 

Milton Hanchett married Mary Shandreau for his first 
wife, his second wife being Lucy E. Clark. 

Electa Hanchett married Leonard Tisdale. 

Fidelia Hanchett married David Smith. 

Zada Ann Hanchett married Benjamin Warner. 

Rachel Hanchett married and moved west. 

Roxy Ann Hanchett married Robert F. Odle. 

Squire Hanchett, brother of Ebenezer and Jonah, Jr., mar- 
ried Anna Wait and lived several years just south of the J udd 
farm and afterwards moved to Black Pond where be remained 
till about 1835. He eventually moved to Ohio. 

Squire Hanchett's children were Wait, Lydia Minerva, 
Phebe, Laura, James and Eli. 

Wait Hanchett married for his first wife Mahala Wise, his 
second wife being Sybil Wolcott. Wait Hanchett's children 
were Jerome, George and Loretta. 

Jerome Hanchett married a woman named Pratt from Lewis, 

George Hauchett married Addie Nichols, daughter of Charles 
D. Nichols. 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETH TOWN 176 

Loretta Hanchett married Amon Bosley of Ausable Forks. 

Lydia Minerva Hanchett married Wm. Simonds, as before 
mentioned, and Phebe Hanchett married Leland E. Simonds, 
also previously mentioned. 

Laura Hanchett moved west. 

James Hanchett was killed by the kick of a horse when 
about 18 years old. 

Eli Hanchett went west with his father's family. 

Willis Gates came from New Hampshire and settled on Si- 
monds Hill after most of the families already named had lo- 
cated there. He married Almira Hulett, daughter of Mason 
Hulett of Hampton, N. Y. Mr. Gates purchased the farm 
originally cleared by one Gregory, afterwards occupied by a 
Hanmer, also by John Hamilton, who claimed to be of Indian 
extraction. 

The Gates children were Reuben, Edson, Mason, Chester, 
Silas, Irvin, Albert, Oscar, Willis, Jr., Mary, Hannah, Almira, 
Celintha and Frances. 

Reuben Gates married Eliza Wakefield, a daughter of 
Deacon Jonathan Wakefield. 

Edson Gates married Milly Braisted of Essex. 

Mary Gates married Edmund B. Nichols. 

Hannah Gates married John Heaton. 

Almira Gates married George Slosson of Chazy. 

Celintha Gates married Herbert Asa Putnam who for many 
years did an extensive iron, lumber and mercantile business 
at New Russia, also ran a saw-mill and coal kilns at Euba 
Mills. 

Frances Gates never married. She died in early woman- 
hood, of consumption, generally lamented. 

Willis Gates, Jr., remained on the home farm all his life, 
dying only a few years since. His widow and her children 
occupy the farm to-day. 



177 HISTORY OF ELIZ,\BETHTOWN 

Several of the sous of Willis Gates, Sr., went west. 

Willis Gates, Sr., built a saw-mill on the Black River at a 
point afterwards called the "Kingdom." An ore bed was also 
opened on the Gates farm and is to-day known as the Gates 
bed. 

Moses Kidder, another early dweller on Simonds Hill, had 
a family consisting of a wife and the following children : James, 
Burr, Angelina and Nancy Ann. 

Moses Kidder lived near the bridge at the outlet of Black 
Pond for some time but moved away many years ago. 

Besides the families named there were several settlers who 
located on the Simonds Hill road, so-called, between what is 
now known as Fisher Bridge and the Ezra Nichols farm, later 
known as the John Otis place. A man named Brownson oc- 
cupied what is to-day referred to as the old Brownson farm, 
having children as follows : Ashbel, Samuel, Roman, Selah, 
Dorcas, Lydia. Many descendants of the children of "old 
man Brownson" still live in Elizabethtown and vicinity. 

William Gray occupied a farm just above the Brownson 
place. 

A man named Carr also lived for a time on a lot back from 
the main highway and a clearing he made is still referred to 
as the "Carr lot." 

Simonds Hill once had a resident preacher, the noted Rev. 
John Stearns, who occupied his spare time in tinkering watches 
and repairing clocks. 

At the time of the early settlement of Simonds Hill all the 
dwelling houses, the school house at the four corners, and the 
barns were built of logs. Alonzo McD. Finney says he remem- 
bers well when the first frame house was erected on Simonds 
Hill. The first frame house in that neighborhood was built by 
Anson Finney during the summer of 1828. At that time Anson 
Finney's son Alonzo McDonough was 12 years old and he re- 




ABIJAH PERRY, 
One of the Greatest Detectives Ncrthern New Ycrk Ever Pi oduced. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 180 

calls that he went with his father after the lime to be used in 
plastering the new house. The lime was procured at the then 
famous Felt lime kiln near Felt Mountain. This was one of the 
first lime kilns operated in Elizabethtown. No one now living 
knows when it was first opened. Probably it was in use shortly 
after the Felts moved from the Wadhams Mill section about 
1809. However, suffice it to say that it was running when Anson 
Finney went there after lime with his ox team in the summer 
of 1828, accompanied by his 12 year old son Alonzo McDon- 
ough who recalls the prominent fact that "Mother Felt" at- 
tended to measuring the lime herself, notwithstanding that her 
son-in-law, David Benson, was standing by. 

The second frame house erected on Simonds Hill was put 
up on what is to-day known as the John Otis farm, then owned 
by Ezra Nichols. 

The first trail leading from Captain Gardner Simonds' at 
the top of the hill was located several rods west of the modern 
road. The first vehicle drawn through to Moriah over the 
present course of the road was a tin peddler's cart. The road 
from Black Pond up the mountain through the dense woods 
was built by one Bugbee whose shanties erected to accommo- 
date his workmen were standing for many years, being recog- 
nized as the half way mark in going through the woods. 

During the period of the early settlement of Simonds Hill 
and in fact throughout the township of Elizabethtown, there 
being very little money in circulation, nearly all kinds of 
business was done by exchange of commodities usually termed 
"barter," the most common in use being cattle, bar iron and 
grain. Professional men, laborers and even the "school 
marms" had to take their pay in "barter," with no thought or 
expectation of receiving money. 

The general custom on Simonds Hill was to employ a male 
teacher for the winter term of three months at about $10 per 



181 HISTORY OP ELIZABETHTOWN 

month of 28 full days aud a female teacher for the summer 
term of four months at $1 per week of 6 full days, teachers to 
"board round" with the patrons of the school in each family in 
proportion to the number of days of pupils attendance. At 
the close of each day's session there was a roll call in order to 
know the attendance of each pupil from which to compute the 
liability of each of the patrons of the school. At the close of 
the term the school bill was made out pro rata from the num- 
ber of days attendance and the collector was started out with 
his team to gather up and bring in whatsoever each chose to 
make payment in, be it iron, wheat, corn, buckwheat, beans or 
other commodity, money being out of the question. When 
collected it was taken, to some store where the teacher could 
get his or her, as the case might be, "store pay," or else get a 
due bill payable in goods "at our usual charging prices." 

During the first half century of the history of Simonds Hill 
the character of the society of the neighborhood was fully up 
to the standing attained in any rural community in those earW 
days. The pioneers of Simonds Hill were industrious, law 
abiding citizens and their counsel in the conduct of town af- 
fairs was often sought and freely given, there being no blight 
incident to "graft" in those early times. Would that as much 
could be said to-day. 

However, the old families once so proudly pointed to on Si- 
monds Hill have all succumbed to the mutations of time. To- 
day new people, comparatively speaking, occupy the old farms 
cleared by the pioneers mentioned on preceding pages of the 
history of Simonds Hill. Only one old name — that of Gates — 
remains in occupation of a farm on Simonds Hill, most of the 
new comers being either of Irish or French descent and it may 
truly be said of these latter occupants that they are industri- 
ous and progressive. 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BET HTOWN 182 



Northwest Bay Church. 

Robert Thompson, Sr., and his sons Robert Thompson, Jr., 
and James Thompson moved into Elizabethtown and settled up 
west shortly after 1805. Robert Thompson, Sr., was a native 
of Scotland and is said to have been a Revolutionary soldier. 
He is also said to have attained the greatest age on record in 
this section. He died in 1829 at the advanced age of 130 
years, his mortal remains being buried in the Roscoe cemetery. 
Robert Thompson, Jr., became the father of James Edwin 
Thompson, so well known to the present generation of Eliz- 
abethtown dwellers. 

The names of Elders Brown, Babcock and Chamberlain ap- 
pear on the records of the Elizabethtown Baptist Church in 
the beginning of 1806. 

From 1806 to 1808, inclusive, the Supervisor of Elizabeth- 
town was none other than Dr. Alexander Morse. 

Dr. Alexander Morse, Simeon Frisbee, Joseph Jeoks, Zadock 
Hurd and Nathan Hammond served as Inspectors of Election 
in 1806. 

March 17, 1807, there was, according to preserved records, 
"A Meeting appointed by a number of Baptist brethren on 
Morgan's Patent in Elizabethtown." This meeting was the be- 
ginning of the "Northwest Bay Church" as it was called. 
Mrs. Caroline Halstead Royce concludes, on page 207 of Bess- 
boro, that it is no improbable guess that the meeting "was on 
the Hoisington place, where three roads come together, near 



183 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

the headwaters of the Hoisington brook." "Here," contiuues 
Mrs. Royce on the same page, "the church was formed with 
six members — four men and two women." Elisha Collins was 
leader and kept the record. There were also Rupee Bachel- 
lor, William Denton, James Hoysington, Sarah Ellis and Tri- 
phena Bachellor. At the next meeting two more women 
joined — Anna Loveland, wife of Enos Loveland, who joined 
soon after, and Phebe Fish. At another meeting Peter N. 
Fish, "Sister" Fish and Avis Hoysington joined. Joel Finney 
joined in September and a meeting was appointed at his house 
"at Northwest Bay." In November, 1807, was held the "coun- 
cil of sister churches," always necessary for the recognition of 
a newly formed Baptist Church. The council was formed of 
delegates from four churches already established, those of 
Pleasant Yalley and Jay on the west side of Lake Champlain 
and of Panton and Bridport in Vermont. The council was 
held at John Halstead's. 

Elizabethtown's Inspectors of Election for the year 1807 
were Dr. Alexander Morse, Hezekiah Barber, Isaac Knapp, 
Simeon Frisbee, Zadock Hurd. 

Stephen Cuyler was Member of Assembly from Essex County 
in 1807. 

Invention of the Steam Boat. 

September 4, 1807, there occurred a notable event in the 
history of civilization, the place being upon the Hudson River. 
It was the first successful navigation by steam power ever ac- 
complished. The Clermont, builfc by Robert Fulton, with the 
assistance and encouragement of Chancellor Livingston and 
many of the business men living in towns along the Hudson, 
made the trip from New York to Albany in 32 hours. One 
of the men on board the Clermont that day and one who had 
been interested in every detail of the new invention from the 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 184 

first, was John Winans of Pougbkeepsie. One of his brothers, 
James Winans, married for his second wife Ida, daughter of 
Piatt Rogers, and came to live at Basin Harbor. John Win- 
ans married a Dutch woman, Catrina Stuart, and seeing great 
possibilities in the application of the new steam power to the 
means of transportation between New York and Canada, moved 
to Lake Champlain and built the second steamboat in the 
world, calling it the Vermont. The Vermont was built in 
Burlington, Vt., being launched at the foot of King Street in 
the spring of 1808. The Vermont was lander than the Cler- 
mont, being 120 feet long, 20 feet wide and 8 feet deep, with 
speed of four miles an hour. The Captain was John Winans 
himself, the pilot being Hiram Ferris of Panton, Vt., said to 
have been a descendant of that Ferris who entertained Ben- 
jamin Franklin and the other Commissioners on their way to 
Canada in the spring of 1776. The Vermont ran for seven 
years, being sunk near Isle Au Noix in October, 1815. John 
Winans lived some years at Ticonderoga but was buried at 
Pougbkeepsie. He had a son Stuart and two daughters, 
Sarah, who married a Bingham, and Joanna Stuart, who mar- 
ried Thomas, son of Ebenezer Douglass, and passed her early 
married life in that part of Elizabethtown known for the past 
90 years as Westport. A daughter of Thomas Douglass and 
Joanna Winans, Kate, born in Westport in 1825, became the 
wife of James A. Allen. 

The first trip of the Vermont along Lake Champlain must 
have caused some excitement and as the men, women and chil- 
dren pressed near the lakeshore at Northwest Bay to see the 
wonder go by they were standing on the soil of what was then 
Elizabethtown. 



185 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

All Act to Establish Court House and Goal in Essex County. 

CHAP. CXX. 

An Act to establish a coui't-house and goal in tlie county of 
Essex, and for other purposes. 

Be it enacted by the people of the state of New-York, rep- 
resented in senate and assembly. That Peter Sailley, of Platts- 
burgh, in the county of Clinton, David Thomas and John 
Savage, of the county of Washington, Esquires, are hereby 
appointed commissioners for designating a place for a court- 
house and goal for the county of Esses, and for that purpose 
the said commissiooers shall, as soon as may be, after the pas- 
sing of this act, and before the first day of August next, repair 
to the said county of Essex, and after exploring the same, as- 
certain and designate a fit and proper place therein for erect- 
ing said court-house and goal, having respect or reference to 
a future alteration of the boundary line or division of the said 
county, if, in their opinion, any such alteration or division 
may be necessary : Provided always, That in case the commis- 
sioners above named, or any two of them, shall not be able to 
agree upon a place for the said court-house and goal, it shall 
then be their duty to nominate an additional commissioner to 
associate with them in discharge of the said trust, and the de- 
termination of any two of such commissioners, in case of the 
non-attendance of the other, on due notice being given for 
that purpose, shall be competent to discharge said trust ; and 
the concurrence of any two of such commissioners shall be 
conclusive in the premises. 

And be it further enacted, That the said county of Essex 
shall allow and pa}'' to each of the said commissioners, so as 
aforesaid appointed to designate the scite of the said court- 
house and goal, at and after the rate of three dollars per day, 
for each and every day they shall be employed in executing 



HISTORY OP ELIZA BETH TOWN 186 

the trust enjoined on them by this act, which allowance shall 
be levied and paid as part of the contingent charges of the 
said county of Essex; and the treasurer of the said county of 
Essex is hereby required and directed to pay the same out 
of any monies in the treasury, an account of which he shall 
exhibit to the board of supervisors of the said county at their 
next meeting. 

And be it further enacted, That the supervisors of the sev- 
eral towns in the county of Essex, for the time being, or a 
majority of them, shall be and are hereby authorized and re- 
quired to direct to be raised and levied on the freeholders and 
inhabitants of the said county of Essex the sum of three thous- 
and dollars, for building the court-house and goal as aforesaid, 
and for purchasing so much land as shall be sufficient for the 
said court-house and goal and a yard thereto, with the addi- 
tional sum of five cents on each dollar for collecting the same, 
and one cent on each dollar to be paid to the treasurer of the 
county ; which said sum shall be raised, levied and collected 
in the same manner as the other necessary and contingent 
charges of the said county are levied and collected : Provided 
however, that nothing herein contained shall be held or con- 
strued to authorize the said supervisors to raise and levy 
more than one thousand dollars in one year. 

And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the 
supervisors in the said county of Essex, or a majority of them, 
to appoint three commissioners, who shall be freeholders in 
the said county, to superintend the building the court-house 
and goal to be erected in the said county of Essex, at such 
place as may be fixed and determined upon by the commission- 
ers for that purpose in this act before appointed ; and the said 
commissioners, or a major part of them, shall and may con- 
tract with workmen and purchase materials for erecting the 
said court-house and goal, and if necessary, for the proceeding 



187 HISTORY OF ELTZ.VBETHTOWN 

with the building of the said court-house and goal, may expend 
monies in and about the same, which shall be repaid and set- 
tled out of and from the sum so as afoi-esaid to be levied and 
raised for the building the court-house and goal, whenever the 
same shall be levied and collected, and shall, from time to 
time, draw upon the treasurer of the said county for such sums 
of money for the purposes aforesaid, as shall come into the 
treasury by virtue of this act ; and the treasurer is hereby re- 
quired, out of any monies aforesaid, to pay to the order of the 
said commissioners the several sums of money to be by them 
drawn for ; and it is hereby made the duty of such commis- 
sioners, so to be appointed, to account with the supervisors of 
the said county of Essex for the monies which they have re- 
ceived from the treasury when thereunto required by a ma- 
jority of the said supervisors. 

And be it further enacted, That the building, so to be erected 
for the court-house and goal at the place which shall be des- 
ignated as aforesaid, shall be the goal of the said county of 
Essex, and as soon as the same is completed in such manner 
as to confine prisoners, it shall and may be lawful for the 
sheriff of the said county of Essex to remove his prisoners, 
either upon civil or criminal process to such goal, and confine 
them therein, and such removal shall not be deemed an escape 
in such sheriff. 

And be it further enacted, That it shall and may be lawful 
for the courts of common pleas and general sessions of the 
peace, in and for the said county of Essex, as soon as the said 
court-house and goal shall be finished so as to accommodate 
the same courts, to adjourn to the said court-house, and there- 
after to continue to hold the terms of the said courts at the 
said court-house, and no action or prosecution depending in 
the said courts shall be abated, discontinued, or in anyj man- 
ner prejudiced in law by such adjournment. 




SQUIER LEE, 
Oldest Man Living Who was Born in Elizabethtown. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 190 

State of New-York. 
In Senate, March 26th, 1807. 

This bill having been read the third time. 
Resolved, That the bill do pass. 
By order of the Senate. 

JNO. BROOME, Presdt. 

State of Hew- Yoke. 
In Assembly, April 3d, 1807. 

This bill having been read the third time — 
Resolved, That the bill do pass. 
By order of the Assembly. 

A. M'CORD, Speaker. 

In Council of Revision, 
April 3d, 1807. 
Resolved, That it does not appear improper to the council, 
that this bill should become a law of this state. 

MORGAN LEWIS. 

In the year 1807 occurred the death of Benjamin Holcomb, 
Esq., whose mortal remains were buried in the Boquet Valley 
cemetery. Benjamin Holcomb, Esq., settled in the Boquet 
Valley in 1792 and during the 15 years that he lived here, oc- 
cupied a high place in the estimation of the pioneer settlers. 
He served as Justice of the Peace and as Assistant Judge of 
the old Court of Common Pleas. A relative, either a daugh- 
ter or a sister of this much revered pioneer, married Dr. Asa 
Post and a son, Ansel by name, was mortally wounded Sept. 11, 
1814, at the Battle of Plattsburgh, being shot in the side, and 
dying Sept. 13th, two days after the English turned back to- 
ward Canada. Ansel Holcomb's body was also buried in the 
Boquet Valley cemetery. 



191 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

The Inspectors of Election in Elizabethtown for the year 
1808 were Hezekiali Barber, Eben'r Newell, Nathan Hammond, 
Enos Loveland. 

In 1808 Jonas Morgan was granted another patent of land 
in Elizabethtown. Jonas Morgan had already built a forge 
on the Black River, at the place which we now call Meigsville. 
This forge he sold to Jacob Southwell and it is often referred 
to as the "Southwell forge." 

Below is a quotation from the Act of the Legislature grant- 
ing the patent, April 28, 1808 : 

"Whereas it hath been represented to the Legislature by 
Jonas Morgan and Ebenezer W. Walbridge in their petition 
that they have it in contemplation to erect works of different 
kinds for the manufacture of iron, in Elizabethtown in the 
county of Essex, and ou account of the great expense and risk 
attending the erection of such works they have prayed for leg- 
islative aid ; 

"And whereas the erection of such works, and especially of 
a furnace for casting of pig-iron, hollow-ware and stoves, in 
that part of the state, where iron ores of the best quality and 
the materials for working the same are abundant, would be so 
beneficial to the state at large, and particularly to the northern 
part of it, as justly to entitle such an undertaking to encourage- 
ment and aid from the Legislature ; 

"And whereas it is also represented, that there is a tract of 
vacant laud belonging to the people of this state, lying in the 
town of Elizabethtown aforesaid, on the north side of a tract 
of land belonging to the said Jonas Morgan, on which he has 
already erected a forge, and adjoining to the same, which will 
be useful, and in time perhaps absolutely necessary for carry- 
ing on the contemplated works to advantage, therefore" — the 
State not only granted Morgan and Walbridge the land, but 
lent them three thousand dollars for the prosecution of the 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 192 

work, ou condition that the furnace be running within three 
years, a condition which was probably fulfilled, since we find 
mention of "Morgan's New Forge" in town records of 1815. 

Whether he of Morgan's Patent fame made or lost a fortune 
on the banks of the Black River no one now living can tell. 
Before 1818 he had, according to Mrs. Caroline H. Royce, 
"sold out to Brainard and Mitchell, who built a grist-mill a 
little further down on the east side and since that time the 
place has always been known as Brainard's Forge." 

When the darn at what is now called Brainard's Forge was 
built the interval was flooded clear up to the north line of his 
large patent. This made quite a body of water, known for 
several years as Morgan's Pond, extending from Brainard's 
Forge to what is now known as Meigsville. This was 
of course before the present turnpike road across the Black 
River was even dreamed of. A map of Morgan's Pond as it 
was in 1810 follows page 127 of this work and is, I believe, a 
copy of the onl}^ map of the kind in Northern New York. 

John Lee, a man of Scotch descent, was living in 1807 on 
the farm now owned and occupied by John F. Ward and 
brothers. He is said to have settled there in 1800, his first 
wife being Ruth Ann Squiers. The marriage of John Lee and 
Ruth Ann Squiers took place in 1800, the bride at that time 
living on what is to-day known as the Barton place. However, 
on what is now known as the Ward farm, Squier Lee, fourth 
child of John and Ruth Ann Squiers Lee, was born Dec. 4, 
1807. This information the writer received by word of mouth 
from Squier Lee himself in the summer of 1896. Squier Lee's 
picture appears elsewhere in this book. He is a resident 
of Bristol, Ind., and the oldest man living who was born in 
Elizabethtown. His wife was Clarissa Lee, eldest daughter of 
the late Noah Lee and eldest sister of the late Chauncev Lee. 



193 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

She died July 23, 1890. Jolm Lee, with whom Squier Lee 
lives, is the ouly one of six children now livinj^. 

In 1808 James W. Coll emigrated from Ticonderoga and 
settled at the mouth of Raymond Brook on the shore of Lake 
Ohamplain and built mills where Raymond had built his be- 
fore him. Here a thriving colouly soon sprang up, its popu- 
lation exceeding for some years that of Northwest Bay, with a 
saw-mill, grist-mill, limekiln, blacksmith-shop and brickyard. 
Coll built his house a little way north of the mill site, on the 
corner, where it still stands, with its massive square timbers, 
cut from the trees of the forest primeval. James W. Coll had 
two brothers, Samuel and Levi, who came and settled near him 
at Coil's Bay. The late venerable Hinckley Coll, an intimate 
friend of the writer for many years, was the son of Levi Coll 
and was possessed of much valuable information concerning 
the early history of the Coil's Bay region. 

Cyrus Richards who married Isabella MacConley, sister of 
Mrs. James W. Coll, also settled at Coil's Bay. The children 
of Cyrus Richards were William who married Mary Ann Hen- 
derson, Samantha who married John R. Nichols, Eliza who 
married Hezekiah Frisbie, (son of Levi,) Mary who married 
Ephraim Bradley, Cyrus who married for his first wife Mary 
Mclntyre, his second wife being Julia Marsh, Charles who 
was drowned in the lake when a boy, Clarissa who married 
George Henderson and Barton who married Almira Newell. 

In the year 1808 a new name appears in Elizabethtown rec- 
ords — that of Root. Samuel Root, (son of Eleazar, grandson of 
Thomas,) born July 7, 1759, in Farmington, Conn., married 
Dinah Woodruff of Farmington Conn., where they lived. 
Dinah Woodruff was a sister of Timothy, Appleton and Roger 
Hooker Woodruff who settled in what is now the town of 
Lewis at an early day. Samuel Root served in the Revolu- 
tionary army all through the war. He was a member of the 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 194 

CoDorregational Church and died Jan. 6, 1815. Dinah Wood- 
ruff was born Jan. 9, 1754, and died Feb. 9, 1848. The chil- 
dren of Samuel Root and wife were Eleazar, Asahel, Ira, 
Abigail. 

Asahel Root was born in 1785 and died in June, 1861, in the 
to\yn of Westport. 

Asahel Root owned laud in Elizabethtown village as early 
as 1808. He married Chloe Whitman and for a time ran a 
whiskey distillery which stood near where the old Noble store 
now stands. His Water Street dwelling house stood just a 
few feet west of the old Noble harness-shop. Asahel Root 
had two SODS — William Whitman who was born in 1810 near 
where the old Noble harness-shop stands and Samuel who 
was born in 1817 just across the Street from Maplewood Inn. 

William Whitman Root married Maria Rouell. Their chil- 
dren were William A., Cora and Charles. Wm. W. Root died 
in 1896. His wife died in 1903. 

William A. Root married Katherine Elizabeth Root and 
lives in Bennington, Vt. 

Cora Root and Charles Root (unmarried) live on the Water 
Street homestead so long occupied by their father and mother. 

Samuel Root married Cynthia Fisher. Their children were 
Chloe Jane who married Charles Pattison and Marcia who 
married Solon Burroughs Finney. Samuel Root represented 
Essex County in the Assembly. He died in 1900. 

About the year 1808 John Whitney came with his family 
from Springfield, Vt., following the newly cut road through the 
pine woods from Northwest Bay to the Falls. He settled 
about a mile above the Falls, on the east side of the Boquet 
River. Finally he erected a new frame house. As his princi- 
ples forbade the use of liquor as a beverage, he did not follow 
the general custom of giving men liquor at the "raising." So 
his house was known as the first in all that region which was 



195 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

"raised without rum." This house stood till December, 1901, 
when the old landmark was destroyed by fire. 

In 1807 or 1808, according to Dr. Morgan B. Hodskins of 
the Massachusetts Hospital for Epileptics at Palmer, Mass., 
bis grandfather, the late Brewster Morgan Hodskins, came to 
Elizabethtown from VValpole, N. H., beiug at that time a small 
boy. It has always been understood by the writer that 
Brewster Morgan Hodskins came to Elizabethtown with good 
Deacon Joseph Blake and his large wife Susanna. Deacon 
Blake (Congregationalist) and wife settled and lived for over 
half a century on what has since been known as the Brownson 
farm, now owned and occupied by Emery J. Coonrod, being 
located about one mile down the Boquet River from Elizabeth- 
town village. The Blakes came from Walpole, N. H., as nu- 
merous old receipts, etc., dated there a century and more ago 
bear silent but couviuciug testimony. Deacon Joseph Blake 
died Jan. 12, 1860, aged 80 years, his mortal remains being 
buried in the old cemetery in the village of Elizabethtown. His 
wife Susanna died April 5, 1861, aged 84 years, and her remains 
were buried beside the good old Deacon. Increase Blake, 
probably Deacon Joseph Blake's mother, died Aug. 2, 1829, in 
her 88th year and was also buried in the old cemetery. Sus- 
anna Mansfield, who died Feb. 27, 1826, in her 80th year and 
whose remains were buried near the Blakes, was undoubtedly 
the mother of Mrs. Joseph Blake. John Blake, said to have 
been a nephew of the Deacon, died Oct. 4, 1865, aged 56 years, 
his mortal remains being buried in the old cemetery. Alan- 
son Blake, said to have been a brother of John Blake, married 
Elizabeth Shepard, a daughter of William Gray's wife. 

Brewster Morgan Hodskins' father was Milton Hodskins. 
Brewster Morgan Hodskins married for his first wife Harriet 
Shepard, a sister of Alanson Blake's wife just previously men- 
tioned. Brewster Morgan Hodskins' children by his first wife 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETBTOWN 196 

were Ann, Amanda, Chauncey, Eufus B., Joseph, Ashel, Eos- 
anna, Laoua. 

Ann Hodskins married Oliver Oldruff. 

Amanda Hodskins married Hiram Baker. 

Chauncey Hodskins served as a soldier in the Union army 
during the late civil war, dying in a southern hospital. 

Rufus B. Hodskins married Clementine Prouty, 

Joseph Hodskins married Cordelia Frisbie. 

Ashel Hodskins also married a Prouty, sister of Clementine. 
He was accidentally killed while working at sawing wood 
by horse power at the Oscar A. Phinney farm, Brainard's 
Forge, 28 years ago. 

Eosanna Hodskins became the first wife of Martin V. B. 
Pierce, his second wife being Laona Hodskins, sister of the 
first. 

Brewster Morgan Hodskins married for his second wife 
Sophrona Prouty, a sister of the Proutys just previously men- 
tioned. By the second marriage there was one daughter, 
Viola, who married Wm. H. Lobdell. 

Brewster Morgan Hodskins died in the spring of 1894, ven- 
erable in years and quite well off for a farmer in Elizabethtown. 

In May, 1808, Dr. Asa Post became Clerk of the Elizabeth- 
town Baptist Church. Dr. Post wrote splendidly and his 
handwriting on the old records is considerably in evidence, 
as he held the position several years. 

In the latter part of 1808 Daniel Haskell, afterwards the foun- 
der of the Theological Seminary at Hamilton, N. Y., became 
pastor elect of the Elizabethtown Baptist Church and was or- 
dained by a council called on the first Wednesday in Septem- 
ber, 1809. The churches forming the council were Essex, Jay, 
Northwest Bay, Pawlett, Chester, Panton and Bridport, Elder 
Hascall held the pastorate until the latter part of 1812. 

Enos Loveland served as Supervisor of Elizabethtown in 



197 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

1809, the Inspectors of Election for that year being Ebenezer 
Newell, Enos Loveland, John Lobdell, Jacob Southwell, Asa 
Post. 

Removal of the County Seat from Essex to Elizabethtuwn. 

It seems that the charmingly beautiful valley in the northern 
part of Elizabethtown, where an incipient village was already 
located, and to which Nature directly pointed by having 
formed "passes" through the circumjacent hills, and being the 
nearest practicable site to the center of the county, irresistibly 
led the commissioners appointed by act of the Legislature in 
April, 1807, to decide in favor of "Pleasant Valley." And the 
County Seat was accordingly removed from Essex to Eliza- 
bethtown by a Clinton County man and two Washington County 
iuen, residents of this section having no more to do with de- 
ciding the location than men in the moon. Following is the 
deed given by Simeon Frisbee of the site occupied by the Essex 
County Court house and jail for almost a century : 

This indenture made the sixth day of October in the year of 
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nine between Sim- 
eon Frisbee of the town of Elizabethtown in the County of 
Essex and State of New York of the one part and the Super- 
visors of the County of Essex, aforesaid of the other part wit- 
nesseth that the said Simeon Frisbee for & in consideration of 
the sura of one hundred Dollars current lawful money of the 
State of New York to him in hand paid at or before ensealing 
and delivery of these presents by the Supervisors aforesaid, re- 
ceipt whereof the said Simeon Frisbee doth hereby confess 
and acknowledge and thereof doth release the said Supervisors 
and their successors in office forever hath granted, bargained, 
sold, aliened, remissed, released, enfeoffed and confirmed and 
by these presents doth grant, bargain, sell, alien, remiss, re- 
lease, enfeoff and confirm unto the said supervisors and their 




JOHN SANDERS, SR., 
A Commanding Figure in Elizabcthtown History 
From J 827 to J864. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 200 

successors in office aforesaid for the sole and only proper use, 
benefit & behoof of the said county of Essex for the use of- a 
Court House and Goal forever iill that certain lot, piece or 
parcel of land situate, lying and being in the town of Eliz- 
abethtown aforesaid and is bounded as follows towit — Begin- 
ning at a stake south thirty seven degrees and thirty minutes 
west from the southwest corner of the court house in said town 
of Elizabethtown one chain and sixty two links and runs 
thence north sixty eight degrees east three chains and twenty 
five links to a stake thence north twenty five degrees west 
three chains and eight links to a stake. Thence south sixty 
eight degrees west three chains and twenty five links to a stake. 
Thence south twenty five degrees east three chains & eight links 
to the place of beginning containing one aci'e of land Together 
with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances 
unto the premises in any wise appertaining or belonging and 
the reversion and reversions remainder and remainders rents 
issues and profits thereof and also all the estate right title in- 
terest use trust property claim and demand whatsoever as well 
in law as in equity of the said Simeon Frisbee off in and to 
the same and every part and parcel thereof with the appurte- 
nance To have and to hold the above granted bargained and 
described premises with the appurtenance unto the said Su- 
pervisors and their successors in office for the proper use ben- 
efit and behoof of said County of Essex for a court house and 
goal forever, and the said Simeon Frisbee for himself his heirs 
executors and administrators doth covenant promise grant and 
agree to and with the said Supervisors and their successors in 
office that he the said Simeon Frisbee at the time of the enseal- 
ing and delivery of these presents is lawfully seized in his own 
right of in and to the aforesaid premises hereby granted and 



201 HISTORY OP ELIZABETHTOWN 

conveyed with the appurteuauces as of a good sure perfect ab- 
solute and indefeasible estate of Inheritance in the law in fee 
simple without any manner of condition to alter change de- 
termine or defeat the same and hath in him good right full 
power and lawful authority to grant bargain sell convey and 
release the said premises with their appurtenances unto the 
said Supervisors and their successors in office in manner 
aforesaid. And also that the said Supervisors and their suc- 
cessors in office for the use of a court house and goal for said 
County of Essex shall and may from time to time and at all 
times and forever hereafter peaceably and quietly enter into 
have hold occupy possess and enjoy the said premises and 
every part and parcel thereof with the appurtenances and 
that free and clear from all estates charges conditions or in- 
cumbrances whatsoever. And also that the said Simeon Fris- 
bee and his heirs and all and every other person or persons 
whomsoever lawfully or equitably deriving any estate right 
title dower jointure or interest of in or to the premises or any 
part thereof by from under or in trust for him and them shall 
and will at all times hereafter upon the reasonable quest 
of the said Supervisors and their successors in office and 
at the proper costs and charges in the law of the said County 
of Essex make do acknowledge levy suffer and execute or 
cause and procure to be made done acknovvledged levied suf- 
fered and executed all and every such further and other law- 
ful and reasonable acts conveyances and assurances in the law 
for the better and more effectually vesting and confirming the 
premises hereby intended to be granted in and to the said Su- 
pervisors and their successors in office for the use of a Court 
house and Goal for said County of Essex forever as by the 
said Supervisors or their successors in office or their counsel 
learned in the law shall be reasonably devised advised or 
required. And the said Simeon Frisbee for himself and his 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 202 

heirs doth covenant to warrant and by these presents forever 
to defend the premises and every part and parcel thereof with 
their appurtenances unto the said Supervisors and their suc- 
cessors in office for the purpose aforesaid against the claims 
of all persons whomsoever. 

In witness whereof the said Simeon Frisbee hath hereunto 
set his hand and seal the day and year first above written. 

SIMEON FKISBEE, L. S. 

Sealed and delivered in the presence of 
Hezekiah Barber, David A. Hascall. 

Acknowledged execution thereof 7th October, 1809, before 
Joseph Jenks, Judge. Fees $1.61. 

Lucy Frisbee, wife of Simeon Frisbee, signed separate paper 
releasing all right, title and interest in same parcel of land in 
presence of Joseph Jenks and Benjamin D. Pardee. 

The first Court House was built on a very modest scale but 
was burned soon after its erection and at once rebuilt under 
the superintendence of Manoah Miller, Theodorus Ross and 
Delevan DeLance. These primitive County Buildings stood 
on or near the site of the present Court House and County 
Clerk's office. 

Elisha Frisbee died in Elizabethtown Oct. 12, 1809, just six 
days after his son Simeon deeded the site on which the pres- 
ent Court House, Jail and County Clerk's office stand. Simeon 
Frisbee's eldest sister, Harriett Frisbee, married Normau 
Nicholson, Elizabeth town's first Postmaster. Their son, the 
late George S. Nicholson, Esq., was the father of John D. 
Nicholson, Esq., Elizabethtown's present Postmaster. 

Simeon Frisbee was County Clerk of Essex County from 
1808 to 1816, in which latter year he moved to Chatauqua 
County, N. Y. 



203 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Establishment of the State Arsenal in Eli^abethtown. 

The year 1809, an eventful one generally, was particular!}' 
so for Elizabetlitowu. The year that gave the world so man}' 
great and good men, including Lincoln and Gladstone, gave to 
Pleasant Valley Orlando Kellogg, who was destined to become 
the most famous man Northern New York ever produced. 
The year 1809 witnessed the beginning of operations which re- 
sulted in the building of a State Arsenal here and also the ar- 
lival of the editor of the first newspaper ever printed in 
Essex County. 

The following from the Governor Daniel D. Tompkins Mili- 
tary Papers, Vol. II, Page 201, regarding the establishment of 
the Arsenal here will be of special interest, as it tells of the 
beginning of a State institution in Pleasant Valley and is now 
published in a local history for the first time : 
March. 

Memorandum concerning a deposit of Arms to be erected 
at Elizabethtowu, Essex County. 
1st Title to a Lot of Ground at least 66 feet by 100 fronting 

on some road or Street must be obtained. 
2nd The building must not be less than 20 feet by 30 with the 
gable end towards the road or Street and to be of stone, 
brick or Wood according as a Majority of Gentlemen 
hereafter named ma3^ deem most suitable, ornamental 
& oeconomical. 
3rd If built of stone they must be of the first quality of build- 
ing stone smoothly faced and handsomely laid. If choice 
stone cannot be procured the building ought rather to be 
of brick or timber. 

4th The foundation will consist of an extensive mason wall of 
ample thickness to support the superstructure and an 
interior wall running lengthwise through the center. The 
first at least two feet and the second at least one foot in 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 204 

the ground and both raised to an exact level at least 
eighteen inches above the surface of the ground. The 
foundation Walls to be of the best building stone. A 
plate on the interior wall will support three pillars, the 
first 12 feet, the second 18 and the third 24 feet from the 
front door. The front door must be a substantial double 
door with a small door in it both substantial and well 
made, with strong hinges and locks. The width of the 
double door must be sufficient freely to admit Gun car- 
riages. 
>th The sleepers of the lower floor must be of chestnut or pine 
seasoned 12 inches by 6 and not laid more than 18 inches 
apart. The pillars in the center plate must be substan- 
tial. The beams of the second floor at least 9 inches by 
4 and not more than 20 inches apart are to be framed 
into or rest upon a substantial plate which will rest upon 
the pillars and end walls. The lower floor to be of sea- 
soned plank 3 inches thick. There must be one window 
opposite the double door and one in each side with iron 
gates worked into the wall at top and bottom. Joists 
must be worked into the wall projecting 2 inches within 
it, to which a ceiling of planed thin boards may be at- 
tached. The first story must not be less than 8 feet in 
the clear. The second floor must be made of good sea- 
soned plank or thick boards. The side walls must be 
carried up 4^ or 5 feet above the second floor, and the 
cross or collar beams must be so placed as to leave at 
least seven feet between them and the floor. A door 
in the second story over the double door with a fixture 
above it for hoisting. A window in the opposite end and 
if practicable a small semicircular window above the 
door and the opposite window. The dimensions of 30 by 
20 feet will be in the clear between the walls. 



•205 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

6th If built of brick the exterior must be well and neatly 
painted and penciled and the roof painted a slate color. 
Some of the beams of the second floor and some of the 
rafters ought to be so anchored with iron as to prevent 
the side walls from spreading apart. There must be a 
staircase and stairs between the first and second floor. 
The lot ought to be enclosed with a substantial board 
fence about six feet high with a large gate in front. The 
building should be erected in the center of the lot and 
its walls parallel with the sides of the lot. The whole 
to be of the very best materials and workmanship. 
If Isaac Kellog, Benjamin and Simeon Frisbie, William 
Kirby and E. Barns, or a majority of them, will ascertain 
whether suitable ground can be obtained and will name one 
of themselves or other person who is willing to superintend the 
building, keep vouchers and account for the money advanced, 
I will immediately forward the necessary sum and direct the 
immediate commencement of the building. I will thank them 
to inform me of the probable cost of each building, give me 
their opinion of as to the materials they may think best for 
the building, as to the piece of ground, and as to any other 
matter touching the size and model of the building or other- 
wise concerning it. 
Albany, July 31, 1809. 

In the fall of 1809 a man named William Eay came to reside 
in "Pleasant Valley." He was born in Salisbury, Litchfield 
County, Conn., Dec. 9, 1771, and eventually had quite a ro- 
mantic career. 

When he was about ten years of age his father removed to 
New York State ; his first poem, on the death of a little play- 
mate, was written at this time. 

When he was nineteen he began teaching school at Dover, 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 206 

Dutchess County, In 1792 he embarked in the mercantile 
business but failed in consequence of the embargo. 

In 1803 he received a flattering offer of the editorship of a 
newspaper in Philadelphia but was taken with a fever on the 
way and arrived there only to find the post filled. 

In despair he enlisted in the U. S. Navy on July 3, 1803, on 
the ill-fated frigate Philadelphia. 

As he wrote an excellent hand and was of more than ordi- 
nary intelligence he was employed as "ship's writer." 

The cruise of the Philadelphia is a matter of history. Wil- 
liam Ray records in his biography his opinion of her com- 
mander and officers and notes the fact that Thomas MacDon- 
ough was a midshipman on board. She ran aground on 
October 31, 1803, and from that time until June 3, 1805, he 
was a prisoner ; he went on board the Essex where he was 
made captain's clerk and composed a poem which was read 
on board July 4, 1805 ; he reached his home September 1, 
1805, where he found his wife and child well after his long 
absence. 

In his biography he writes : "In the fall of 1809 I removed 
to the County of Essex where 1 again commenced merchand- 
ise and again unsuccessful." 

Following are the titles of his two published works from 
which the data for the above sketch was gleaned : 

Horrors of Slavery or the American Tars in Tripoli; an 
account of the loss and capture of the United States Frigate 
Philadelphia; treatment and sufferings of the prisoners; de- 
scription of the place ; manners, customs, &c., of the Tripoli- 
tans; public transactions of the United States with that 
regency, including Gen. Eaton's expedition ; interspersed with 
interesting remarks, anecdotes and poetry on various subjects. 



207 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Written during upwards of nineteen months imprisonment 

and vassalage among the Turks. 

By William Ray. 

"Nature ne'er meant to form a slave ; 
"Her birth-rights liberty." 
"Slavery thou art a bitter cup." 

Sterne. 

Troy 

Printed by Oliver Lyon 

For the Author 

1808. 

973. 4. R. 21 



Poems on variots subjects, religious, moral, sentimental and 

humerous. 

By William Ray. 

To which is added a brief sketch of the author's life and of 

his captivity and sufifering among Turks and barbarians of 

Tripoli, on the coast of Africa — written by himself. 

To thee, O sacred muse belongs 
Devotions humble voice 
That breaks in sweet adorning songs 
Like those whose holy angel-throngs 
Eternally rejoice. 

Auburn. 

Printed by U. F. Doubleday. 

1821. 

811. 29. R. 21. 

It has been said that the record of such an experience in 

the harbor of Tripoli, told as well as William Ray told it, 

would to-day sell in repeated editions but "The Horrors of 

Slavery" published in 1808 made the author neither famous 

nor wealthy. 

Elizabethtown's Supervisor in 1810 was Enos Loveland, the 




JUDGE AUGUSTUS C. HAND. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 210 

Inspectors of Election being Ebenezer Newell, John Lobdell, 
Asa Post, Jacob Southwell, Enos Loveland. 

During this year work on the Arsenal was commenced. 

The following, from pages 259 and 260, Vol. 11, Military 
Papers of Daniel D. TompLins, and which was dated Albany, 
March 11, 1811, refers to the work on the Arsenal at Eliz- 
abethtown : 

Since the last communication which was made to the legis- 
lature relative to the proceedings under the Act to provide for 
the defence of the northern and western frontiers, deposits, or 
arsenals have been erected in Onondaga ; in Plattsburgh, Clin- 
ton County ; and one in Elizabethtown, Essex County, has 
been begun, but on account of the sickness and absence of the 
principal workmen, could not be finished the last season. In 
the course of the ensuing summer that will be completed, and 
deposits in Genesee and St. Lawrence Counties will also be 
erected, which will close the duties enjoined by the last men- 
tioned act, and the law amendatory thereof, passed 24th Feb- 
ruary, 1809. 

Enos Loveland also served as Supervisor of Elizabethtown 
in 1811, the Inspectors of Election that year being Enos Love- 
land, John Lobdell, Ebenezer Newell, Asa Post, Jacob South- 
well. 

The following concerning the establishment of the Goal Lim- 
its of the County of Essex, in accordance with the passage of 
an Act of the State Legislature, Session of 1811, is on record 
in the County Clerk's office : 

Beginning at the Court House, thence E. 40 chains, thence 
north 22 deg. 30 min. W. 30 chains and 35 links, thence N. 67 
deg. 30 min. W. 30 chains 35 links, thence S. 67 deg.30 chains 
35 links, thence 22 deg. 30 min, E. 30 chains & 35 links, thence 
S. 67 deg. 30 min. E. 30 chains 35 links, thence N. 67 deg. 30 



211 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

min. E. 30 chains & 35 links, thence N. 22 deg. 30 rain. E. 30 

chains and 35 links. 

Surveyed the 10th & 11th days of June, A. D., 1811, by me. 

THOS. STOWER. 

Recorded 11th June, 1811. 

SIMEON FRISBEE, Clerk 

In 1811 William Ray either had an idea that Governor 

Tompkins was likely to visit Elizabethtownorelse he assumed, 

a kind of poetic license, as he wrote as follows : 

To his Excellency Daniel D. Tompkins, 

Sir: 

That you are coming to this place 
We have authentic information 
Joy, newly born, smiles on our face 
Raised by its mother expectation. 

Lest you should disappointment meet 
Who oft on strangers makes a sallj' 
Causing a thousand to retreat 
And curse the name of Pleasant Valley, 

I'll give concisely as I can 
Without too much impertinency 
Its view, site, prospect, people, place 
Just to oblige your Excellency. 

You'll cross the Lake at North West Bay 
Eight miles computed from this village 
The land uneven, rough the way, 
The soil is good but bad the tillage. 

When the last eminence you rise 
Prom log built huts, and shabby people 
The object next that strikes your eyes 
Will be, perhaps the Court House steeple. 

From east to west a plain extends 
From north to south a valley stretches. 
And through the whole a streamlet bends 
To feed with fish some hungry wretches. 

Huge mountains all around us rise 
And seem of elbow room to scrimp us 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 212 

But yet oo God has left the skies 
To dwell upon our new olympus. 

No Heliconian streams distil 
To ^ive our poets inspiration 
But whiskey plenty from the still 
Sets all their brains in fermentation. 

No Delphic oracle is here 
Confounding truth with many a libel 
But a plain Clergyman sincere 
Our only oracle the Bihle. 

Our Magistrates are learn'd indeed 
Expounding law and dealing justice 
'Tis certain some of them can read 
And write their names to mittimustes. 

Take an example if you please 
Our Squire who is no necromancer 
Styles himself "Justice of the Peas," 
Why not of Beans a wag may answer. 

Here's lawyers most confounded wise 
Physicians also, very plenty 
One scarcely could believe his eyes 
To find a good one out of twenty. 

Judges and Gen'rals, all great men, 
Tell of integrity and spirit 
They grace their stations well ; but then 
Some want one requisite call'd merit. 

Our Legislators to be sure 
Are men of sense, so reason argues, 
But though their principles be pure 
We have no Solon or Lycurgus. 

Bright chastity our fair adorns 
We have no am'rous wars between us 
If any wear a brace of horns 
'Tis but a helmet lent by Venus. 

Here's politicians very great 

Who know exactly to a tittle 

What saves or what destroys a State — 

Or too much freedom or too little. 

They see what Robert Smith's about 
Of State our quandom Secretary 



213 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOW^T 

Some would the traitors brains beat out 
And some alive the rascal bury. 

If what I've stated be not true 
Your Excellency soon must know it 
I am with all submission due 
Your most obedient humble poet. 

Wm. Ray. 
Elizabethtown, Pleasant Vallej'^, August 30, 1811. 

P. S. — I beg leave just to suggest to your Excellency that 
I have some thoughts of applying to the council of Appoint- 
ment nest Session for the office of County Clerk. There will 
be several candidates I am told; but I do not know of any who 
stand more in need of or are better entitled to it than myself. 
If our present clerk should be removed and I confess I see no 
reason why he should mooopoiize any longer, I shall certainly 
expect. The rotation of office is one principle of our republican 
system. This is an office which I think I am capable of filling ; 
and as 1 am poor and unable to get a living by farming or any 
other laborious employment, such an office would exactly suit 
me. 

Your Excellency's most ob't hum. servant, 

Wm. Ray. 

The "plain Clergyman sincere" must have been Elder Daniel 
Hascall, a graduate of Middlebury College, who was the Baptist 
preacher in Pleasant Valley from 1808 to 1813 At that time 
Ezra Carter Gross was a rising young lawj^er in Pleasant Valley 
and Dr. Asa Post and Dr. Alexander Morse were physicians 
here. 

The above poetic effusion with note in prose attached at bot- 
tom constitutes the first of a series of vigorous letters written 
by Wm. Ray to Gov. Tompkins. At that time county offices, ex- 
cept Assembly, were filled by the Council of Appointment, be- 
coming elective in 1821. William Ray urged his claim with per- 
sistency, a clearness and vigor of statement and a variety of 



HISTORY OF EI.TZABETHTOWN 214 

expression which would bring him both fame and fortune as 
a 20th ceutnrv newspaper reporter. The statements made by 
this Knight of the Quill concerning some of our early Essex 
County worthies should be read with due allowance for the 
bitter spirit of partisanship which was abroad at the time. As 
the letters are unique and full of local color the writer has de- 
cided not to expunge any part but to reproduce them in full. 

By reference to the Elizabeth town Baptist Church records 
it is found on Maj' 3, 1811, "The Ch'h agree to clean the Court 
Room before every Court and appoint Bros. Carter and Ferris 
a Committee to see it done." From the foregoing it would ap- 
pear that Baptist meetings were at that time being held in the 
Essex County "Court Room." It is fair to presume that meet- 
ing continued to be held there until the Court House burned 
again in 1823. 

In the fall of 1811 Wm. Ray again wrote Gov. Tompkins as 
follows : 

Elizabethtown, Oct'r 2d, 1811. 

Sir: 

I mentioned to your Excellency in a late letter something 
respecting my wishes to be appointed clerk of this county at 
the next session of the Legislature. I have been conversing 
with Judge Pond on the subject as well as several others 
of my friends who all profess themselves pleased with the 
proposition. Should your Excellency doubt the propriety of 
such a step in me I should be glad to know it before I proceed 
any further. It would be better for me to "sit still than rise 
up and fall." Judge Pond is acquainted with my situation 
and none I presume are ignorant of my pretentions to the office. 

The fact is Mr. Frisbie has no just claims to the office any 
longer and I do not know of any in this county who can say 
he is entitled to it more than myself. I am poor, unable to labor 



215 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

and have sufierecl much in my country's service. I am aware, 
Sir, of the delicacy of your situation as to your making nomina- 
tions of this kind ; but I know also the goodness of your 
disposition and justness of your principles in giving to every 
man his just reward. 

I am, sir, with due submission your Excellency's most obedi- 
ent humble servant. Wm. Bay. 

Daniel D. Tompkins. 

Judge Pond, referred to in the foregoing letter, was the Hon. 
Benjamin Pond, father of Ashley Pond and grandfather of the 
late Judge Byron Pond of Elizabethtown. 

Wm. Ray's ambition to be Essex County Clerk must have 
burned within him in the early days of December, 1811, as the 
following letter to Gov. Tompkins bears witness : 
To His Excellency, Daniel D. Tompkins, 

Sir : 

Every letter I write to your Excellency I make a sacrifice 
of my pride to the strong impulse I feel to communicate my 
sentiments. I am not unconscious, Sir, that too much famili- 
arity between characters so widely discriminated would be in- 
compatible with the dignity of your superior station — of your 
exalted merits — I trust therefore your Excellency will not 
attribute my correspondence to vain or ostentatious conceits ; 
but will indulge me with the innocent gratification of un- 
burthening a mind oppressed with the weight of its own com- 
parative unworthiness — when I was a slave in Tripoli, I enter- 
tained the fond idea that could I once again tread my native 
shores my grateful country would compassionate my extraor- 
dinary sufferings and place me in some station where I could 
maintain myself and family with usefulness to society. As a 
gentleman of philanthropy and of unbounded benevolence I 
have frequently disclosed to your Excellency my situation and 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 216 

have not lived entirely without hopes. The favors I have re- 
ceived are pledges of your humanity. A pathway is now 
opened and the prospect brightens on these hopes. As I have 
before stated the Clerk of this County has become quite un- 
popular with a large majority of the republicans (Democrats) 
here and it is wished and expected that he will be removed 
this winter. Such an office would exactly comport with my 
views and I believe would (not) be repugnant to the wishes of 
the people at large though some undoubtedly will oppose it. 
There are indeed two other candidates already sprouting up 
soliciting petitions. It is really ludicrous to see too young 
pettifoggers — mere boys of yesterday who perhaps never gave 
or procured a vote in the State, hoisting themselves upon the 
shoulders of grey-headed patriots and spurring in for the prize 
due only to approved merit. Petitioning the populace for 
office I always despised for verily believe were a petition cir- 
culated through the countr}' to have three-fourths of its inhab- 
itants hanged it would obtain a large list of respectable sub- 
scribers. One of the 3'oung alluded to was mentioned in my 
last letter, viz : Beiijamhi D. Fardee, the other is John Lynde. 

Nothing that I know of can be said degrading to the char- 
acter of these boys. They have done nothing either to incur 
censure or merit applause. Neither of them professes scarcely 
a mediocrity of talents but both have some mechanical inge- 
nuity in penmanship. Neither of them is a man of education, 
experience or knowledge of the world. These remarks are 
not theebulitions of envy, caprice, or malice — but the effusions 
of truth and candour. If such striplings are suffered to leap 
into office over the heads of men who have toiled, bled, fought 
and suffered as I have in my countrj^'s service, adieu to order 
and to political justice. But I trust I have nothing to fear 
from such guards of one night, such mushroon competi- 
tors and that the sedate wisdom of the Council (of appoint- 



217 HISTORY OF ELIZA.BETHTOWN 

meut) ueed only be apprized of their presumption to disap- 
point tlieir arrogance. There is a junto in this county who 
would fain monopolize all the offices in it, in fact they have 
effected their purpose pretty well thus far. 

Judge Thomas Stowers, Jonathan Lynde, Esq'r, both former 
Sheriffs, and John HofFnagle, late Sheriff, all connected by 
strong ties of consanguinity, are the chiefs ; Stowers and Lynde 
are half brothers and Hoffnagle is brother-iu-law to Stowers. 
John Lynde is son of Jonathan Lynde. From this combina- 
tion I expect nothing but opposition. For my part I stand 
alone. It is true, however, Mr. Delevan Delance, Member of 
Assembly, has pledged himself to me and so have Judge Pond 
and Mr. William Kirby, Ex-Sheriff, Judge Joseph Jenks and 
many others; and should any one of these change their posi- 
tion and turn against me, you will know sir how to weigh their 
duplicity. With respect to the Sheriff's office there is a great 
competition. John Hoffnagle who was removed to give place 
to Kirby claims it again as his right. I have no opinion of 
Hoffnagle's political integrity ; he is a kind of chamelion in 
politics, is rich and does not merit the office. Mr. Delance 
would gladly accept of it, but feels a diffidence in openly avow- 
ing. I am suspicious from report he will throw his influence 
into the scale most likely to preponderate in his favor relating 
to the clerk's office and perhaps "change works" with the junto 
aforesaid. 

Judge Manoah Miller is another candidate for the Sheriff- 
alty. He is a plain, honest, illiterate man, but might do well 
enough for sheriff for all what I know, provided he has good 
deputies. 

Major Joseph Skinner, our Brigade Inspector, is also wish- 
ing for the office. He is a smart active man — has discharged 
his duty with fidelity and applause — has been active in the 
common cause — is not rich and in my humble opinion would 




HON. ORLANDO KELLOGG, 

Congressman and Intimate Friend of 
President Lincoln. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 220 

make a g;ood sheriff. He is a firm zealous Republican (Demo- 
crat) of respectable connections ; brother-in-law to the late 
Doctor Bull of Saratoga. As he is in the military line he 
would perliaps be a suitable person to take charge of the Arse- 
nal here which they say wants a new master. I do not wish 
to be thought an officious informer — but to act from a convic- 
tion that such things as I have stated ought to be known that 
equal and exact justice may be done ; and while I am thus do- 
ing I am only discharging the duty of a centinel and not acting 
the part of a traitor. As 1 reside in the centre of the county 
I have an opportunity of seeing and conversing with people 
from all parts of it and of knowing the opinion of the mass of 
its inhabitants. I do not like to see them imposed on by as- 
piring demagogues and mercenary office hunters. For my 
part I most solemnly declare that were my condition prosper- 
ous I would not undergo the mortification of soliciting for any 
office whatever. But I am poor, advanced to the age of forty 
this very day, unable to pursue any laborious employment 
for the injury my constitution has sustained in a barbarous 
remote clime; and have a family to support. Can it be pos- 
sible that these things will have no weight with the honorable 
Council ! I am not insensible, Sir, to the respect due your sta- 
tion ; nor of the important duties attached to it. I am aware 
that did you feel the most interested predeliction in my favor, 
your official dignity would forbid your evincing publickly too 
much partiality for me. But I need not suggest the practica- 
bility of your effecting what I am at without any derogation 
from your honor. I shall certainly never disgrace your favors. 
Should the hopes that I now cherish be torn from me, my 
situation would be desperate indeed. I could not live in this 
county nor could I depart from it. May those fond expecta- 
tions which I now send forth find a resting place in your bosom 
until they return to me with the olive branch of consumate 



221 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

peace and happiness. How would my little family rejoice at 
the event ! How wonld our bosoms glow afresh with grati- 
tude to your Excellency ! 

Should your Excellency deem it not inconsistent with pro- 
priety to write me I should esteem it a very great favor whether 
it beclouded or brightened my prospects; and your Excellency 
might rely on it that the contents of the letter to any person 
living should not be divulged. I should like to know whether 
it would be best for me to come to Albany myself or address a 
letter to each of the Council — whether it would be best to send 
a petition or not. My circumstances are so low as that I could 
not well afford the expence of a journey; but should it be 
thought indispensably necessary I would endeavor to do it. 

Animated with the hope of a favorable issue of my suit I re- 
main, Sir, with the highest consideration, 

Your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant, 

Wm. Eay. 

Elizabethtown, Essex County, December 9th, 1811. 

Below are quoted lines from a letter written by Governor 
Tompkins to his old friend, the Hon. Peter Sailly of Platts- 
burgh, Clinton County, N. Y., with whom he (Governor Tomp- 
kins) had served in the N. Y. State Legislature in 1803 : 

Albany, January 13, 1812. 

Dear Sir : The manner in which the building of the Arsenal 
at Elizabeth Town, Essex County, has been conducted has 
compelled me to send Mr. Chauncey Humphrey there to ex- 
amine the buildings and adjust the title and Accounts with 
Mr. Frisbee. After he had got so far, I thought it was as well 
for him to proceed to Plattsburgh to receive from you and 
convey to me any recommendation which you may feel dis- 
posed to make relative to the adequacy of the supply in your 
quarter in case of hostilitie with great Britain — relative to 
the state of the property in the Plattsburgh Arsenal — relative 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 222 

to the state aud discipliue of the Militia in that direction & 
their equipments, relative to anj objects of importance touch- 
ing the means and course of defence or actual warfare upon an 
emergency, and relative to such other matters of security as 
may require my attention or that of the Legislature. 

The Guvernor's Instruction to Captain Humphrey Concerning Mr. Frisbee's 
Responsibility for Public Property of the State, 

Albany, 14 Jan'y, 1812. 

Sir : The business upon which I have, heretofore, spoken 
to you for the transaction of which you are requested to 
proceed to Elizabeth Town, Essex County & to Plattsburgh, in 
Clinton County is contained in the following questions & re- 
marks. I will thank you to ascertain & report upon all the 
points subjoined. 

1. How much laud does Mr. Frisbee own in the village or 

did own on the day of when he conveyed the 

Arsenal lot to the State. 

Remark — The Comptroller is unable to lay his hand at this 
moment upon the deed of Frisbee for the Arsenal lot which 
excites some slight fear in my mind that it may have been mis- 
laid. You will therefore, particularly note down Mr. Frisbee's 
admissions of having executed and delivered a deed for the 
Arsenal lot to me, of the date which he supposes it bore — & 
other particulars relative to it. Ascertain also whether it was 
acknowledged or recorded in his office of Clerk of that County 
and whether his wife signed & acknowledged the conveyance 
or not. If she did not it would be well to take a release of 
Dower from her ; which she must acknowledge and in which 
her husband may as a party reciting the supposed date, bound- 
aries & import of the former deed. Such a release with such 
recitals might operate as a deed of confirmation if the original 
conveyance should not be found. 



223 HISTORY OF ELIZARETHTOWN 

2. What is the value of the residue of his land & buildings 
not included in the Arsenal Lot. 

3. What mortgages or judgments recorded in the Clerk's 
office of the County of Essex are still unsatisfied — Who owns 
them and where do the owners reside. 

Remark- — Mr. Frisbee informed me that the only incum- 
brance existing against the land was an ancient mortgage which 
was owned by one Thorne in Dutchess County, and that he had 
paid a certain sum say 25 dollars to Thorne in consideration 
of which Thorne was to send a release for the State Lot. I 
have recently understood that Thorne does not own the mort- 
gage & that, therefore, Mi-. Frisbee's statement to me must 
have been fallacious — I wish the proprietor of this mortgage 
to be clearly ascertained if possible. 

4. What are the dimensions, workmanship, state of comple- 
tion, & security of the building erected under the auspices of 
Mr. Frisbee. Of what materials are the roof, sides, founda- 
tion, pillars, (fee; is it ceiled on the inside or calculated to be, 
and if so, are the boards seasoned, planed, <fec. 

5. What is the quantity of material of each description used 
in the building, what is the current price of each & of the la- 
bour & Board of Mechanics & others necessarily employed at 
it. 

6. Call upon Mr. Frisbee for an exhibition of his acct <fe 
vouchers relative to the building and require him either to set- 
tle the acct on the spot or come forward to Albany and do it 
without delay. 

7. What is the quantity, state of preservation and security 
of the State property lodged in Mr. Frisbee's care. Examine 
& count all the Muskets, Cartridge boxes. Cartridges, Cannon 
shot «fe other articles & note their deficiencies. 

8. If there be articles missing or ruined by any gross neg- 
lect on the part of Mr. Frisbee, you are hereby fully author- 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 224 

ized and empowered at yoni* discretiou, to resume the posses- 
sion of the public property remaining and deliver it into the 
care of Major Skinner, or of such other person as may he ad- 
vised by Judge Jeuks, Judcje Kellogg, Sheriff Kirby, Mr. De- 
lance & others to be most suitable and take a receipt therefor, 
with a bond in the penalty of 6,000 Dollars, condition as fol- 
lows : 

Whereas the property of the people of this State consisting 
of the following articles, viz, (here insert an accurate inven- 
tory of the property) have been delivered to 
for safe keeping as superintended out of Military Stores at 
Elizabeth Town, Essex County, for which he is to be compen- 
sated according to law, now the condition of this obligation is 
such that if the said shall well and faith- 

fully perform the trust reposed in him & deliver up the said 
property whenever required by the Commander in Chief, Com- 
misary of Military Stores or other proper officer for the time 
being in as good condition and state as the said articles now 
are reasonable & unavoidable deterioration arising from the 
storage or nonusage of such articles & inevitable necessity 
excepted, then this obligation to be void otherwise to remain 
in full force and effect. 

9. After you have fully ascertained and adjusted the preced- 
ing matters you will proceed to Plattsburgh in Clinton County. 
Mr. Sailly, Genl. Mooers, Judge Piatt, Judge Delord, Judge 
Smith, Col. Durand, Mr. Nicholls, Captu. Greene, Lieutenant 
Smith & others, will give you all the information about the 
militia property there necessary, and about every other object 
of preparation or defence both on the lake and on the land 
which will become advisable or indispensable in the event of 
a rupture with Great Britain in the Spring or Summer. 

All of which information you will please distinctly to note 
down and report to me. 



225 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

I have written to Mr. Sailly to iuform me now or at any 
other time, whether there is any probability of neerotiating a 
purchase of the Lands of the St. Regis Indians whicdi I am 
authorised by law to make. If yea, at what time ought it to 
be attempted, through what agents ought they to be prepared 
for a treaty, & what extra payments or secret service money 
will be requisite to influence the principal chiefs & warriors. 

After these duties are thoroughly performed you can return 
in such route and with such expedition as your own comfort 
and business may require. 

Chauncey Humphrey, Esq. 

Governor Tompkins Notifies William Ray that a Special Agent is Investi- 
gating the Matter of Public Property at Elizabethtown. 

Albany, January 14, 1812. 

D'r Sir : In consequence of the representations of Judge 
Jenks and of the suggestions of yourself & others, I have sent 
an agent to enquire into every matter touching the public 
property & building at Elizabeth Town, by whose report I 
shall govern myself as to the future disposition of the Arsenal 
& its contents. Chauncey Humphrey, Esqr, proceeds to Essex 
for that purpose and is the bearer of this letter. 

A communication from Judge Pond and your several letters 
have been duly received. It must be obvious to you that the 
office you mention must be disposed of in consonance with the 
opinion of our friends within the County. It would not be deli- 
cate or correct in me to countenance the removal of the pres- 
ent incumbent, until I am acquainted with the facts which dic- 
tate it, or after the removal is determined, or to consult & 
gratify my private wishes at the expense of controuling or 
affronting the sentiments of the Republicans of Essex by mak- 
ing county appointments hostile to their wishes, or to what 
they might probibly deem best calculated to promote the pub- 



HISTORY OP ELIZABETHTOWN 226 

lie good. You must, therefore, be convinced that the success 
of your intended application must depend materially upon the 
countenance and support it ma}^ receive from the Republicans 
of Essex who are most immediately interested in it. 

It gives me pleasure to find several respectable persons have 
already espoused your interest and that I have heard except 
from yourself of no rival although I cannot interfere to any 
great extent in the appointment yet I can assure you that no 
one will feel a more lively satisfaction than myself at finding 
your claims patronized from the proper quarter & at witness- 
ing your advancement and prosperity. 

William Ray, Esqr. 

Judge Jenks Also Notified by the Governor, 

Albany, January 14, 1812. 

D'r Sir : In consequence of your friendly intimation con- 
cerning the State of the Public property in Essex County, I 
have engaged the bearer, Chauncey Humphrey, Esqr., to visit 
your place and make enquiries and report to me upon all the 
points which are connected with or concern the property of 
the State deposition at Elizabeth Town. I have taken the 
liberty to refer and introduce him to you in hopes that will yield 
him your advice and information in every particular in which 
it may be useful to him or facilitate his enquiries and duties. 

Judge Jenks. 

The Governor Likewise Informs Simeon Frisbee of the Fact. 

Albany, January 14, 1812. 
D'r Sir : The uneasiness which has been created in my mind 
by rumors which have reached me and by direct applications 
from persons in Troy, who say they hold unsatisfied judgments 
against you, docketed anterior to your conveyance to the state 
of the Arsenal lot under which judgments they expect to be 



227 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

able to arrest the property & buildings belonging to this State 
& and to sell it for the payment of their demands against yon, 
together with the anxiety which I have repeatedly manifested 
to you in person at the procrastination which has taken place 
in the erection & completion of the edifice confided to your 
management, constrain me to require a prompt & full account 
& explanation of all the matters which implicate the interest 
of the State. 1 have, therefore, deputed Chauucey Humphreys, 
Esqr,, of this city as my authorised and accredited agent, to 
discuss and adjust difiiculties existing between the Public & 
yourself, & to act in the premises as amply & fully touching 
the examination, possession and future disposition of the mili- 
tary stores heretofore committed to your care, and touching 
the liquidation & settlement of your account as I could do, 
were I personally present & request you to communicate and 
deal with him accordingly. 
Simeon Frisbee, Esquire. 

Following is Wm. Ray's reply to Governor Tompkins' letter 
of January 14, 1812 : 

Elizabethtown, January 20, 1812. 
His Excellency Daniel D. Tompkins, 

Sir : Your letter of the 14:th instant I have the honor to re- 
ceive. 

The representations of Judge Jenks I believe, sir, you will 
find not to have been exagerated and my suggestions relative 
to the Arsenal and public property not unfounded. 

I know, sir, that the office I seek must be disposed of in con- 
sonance with the opinion of our friends within this County and 
on this ground I have built my hopes ; but it cannot be ex- 
pected that I can obtain the opinion and suffrages of all the 
Republicans of the County ; yet could I do it I think there is 




MAJOR ROBERT WILSON LIVINGSTON, 
Founder of The Elizabethtown Post. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 230 

no doubt that my expectations would be answered. For tbe 
correctness of my opinion I refer your Excellency to Mr. Del- 
evaa Delance who was recently re-elected Member of Assem- 
bly by a majority unprecedented in this County and who is 
now the echo of the people's voice as also the letter of Judge 
Joseph Jenks, than whom a more honest, judicious and firm 
Republican this County cannot boast. Other letters from re- 
spectable characters will be laid before the Council. It would 
be strange indeed should I meet with no opposition and no 
rival; but I am told that the boys who began to aspire to office 
are about to yield to my superior claims. 

Mr. Delance attended Court here throughout last week ; he 
saw and conversed with people from all parts of the County 
and he can inform your Excellency that it is the general opin- 
ion and wish of the people here that the present incumbent 
ought and might be removed and that I have better claims 
and more general support than any other candidate for the 
office of County Clerk. Returning your Excellency my most 
sincere thanks for the friendly sentiments of your letter. 

I am, Sir, with the greatest respect, 

Your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant, 

Wm. Ray. 

The following letter from Wm. Ray shows that Major Skin- 
ner was appointed Superintendent of the Arsenal : 

Elizabethtown, January 28, 1812. 
His Excellency Gov. Tompkins. 

Sir : Major Joseph Skinner is the bearer of papers which I 
think will convince you that my claims are justified, patron- 
ized and supported by the Republicans of this County in 
general and that I have answered the expectations of your ju- 
dicious and friendly letter. It cannot be thought that the 
people will openly declare all their reasons why Mr. Frisbie 



281 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

ought to be removed — modesty forbids it. But depend on it 
Sir, this is the popular sentiment. 

Should however what I now transmit be judged insufficient 
to establish the truth of what I have advanced I beg leave to 
have time and opportunity to confirm what I have stated be- 
fore any other person is appointed, by more corroborating 
witnesses. Yet I should be very glad to be relieved from 
suspense as soon as possible and receive the favorable decision 
of council by Major Skinner. 

The removal of the Military stores from the superintendence 
of Mr.Frisbie and their being placed in the hands of Mr. Skin- 
ner gives univeral satisfaction. There is no doubt but they 
will in future be well attended to. I feel no disposition to 
interfere much with the appointment of Sheriff — I think how- 
ever that Mr. Hoffnagle ought not to have it. That office has 
been held for ten years in his neighborhood by himself and 
among his connections. He was first a federalist, then a Re- 
publican, next a quid and now a Democrat. His chief support 
at present (if I am informed correctly consists of federalists 
whom I will not solicit. He knows I am opposed to him and 
he and his friends will probably oppose me. 

I wish your Excellency to lay my papers before the council 
as soon as may be that I may know something of the result by 
return of Mr. Skinner who can inform you more particularly 
of my present situation, my standing in society and my popu- 
larity. 

I hope sir that before long your Excellency will feel the 
"lively satisfaction of witnessing my advancement and pros- 
perity." 

I remain your Excellency's most obedient and most humble 
servant, 

Wm. Ray, 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 232 

Evidently the arrival of Governor Tompkins' agent in Eliz- 
abetbtown moved Simeon Frisbee to action, as the latter 
deeded as follows : 

"This Indenture made the twelfth day of February in the 
year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred & twelve Be- 
tween Simeon Frisbee of Elizabethtown County of Essex and 
State of New York and Lucy Frisbee his wife of the first part 
and the People of the State of New York of the Second part 
Witnesseth That the said parties of the first part for and in 
Consideration of the Sum of Thirty-five Dollars Money of 
amount of the United States of America to them in hand paid 
at or before the ensealing and delivery of these presents by 
the said party of the second part the Receipt whereof is hereby 
confessed and Acknowledged Hath granted Bargained Sold 
Aliened Remised released conveyed assured enfeoffed and con- 
firmed and by these presents doth grant Bargain Sell Alien 
remise release convey assure enfeoff and confirm fully freely 
and absolutely unto the said party of the Second part forever 
all that certain piece parcel or tract of Land Situate lying and 
being in the Town of Elizabeth Town County and State Afore- 
said and is part of Lot Number thirteen in a Small Patent of 
Land granted to Piatt Rogers and Company for three thous- 
and Seven Hundred Acres of Land Bounded as follows (to wit) 
Beginning at Cedar tree standing in the Northeast Corner of a 
piece of Land on which the Arsenal Stands near the Highway 
Thence Running Westerly in the line of A Board fence one 
Hundred feet thence Southerly in the line of said fence one 
Hundred feet thence Easterly one Hundred feet thence North- 
erly one Hundred feet to the place of Beginning Containing 
thirty six Rods of Ground be the same more or less," etc, the 
instrument being signed, sealed and delivered by Simeon 
Frisbee and Lucy Frisbee, his wife, in the presence of Benj'n 



233 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Warren and Uriah Palmer. The Arsenal lot deed was re- 
corded March 21, 1812. 

We who follow at this late day are inevitably led to conclude 
that Simeon Frisbee partially retired "under fire," so to speak, 
as he lost the superintendency of the Arsenal, was compelled 
to give a deed for land upon which the State of New York had 
already erected a building and that he did these things in 
'■fear and trembling" lest he lose the office of Essex County 
Clerk. 

First Number of the First Paper Ever Printed in Essex County. 

The following letter is of especial interest as it tells of the 
first issue of the first paper ever printed in Essex County : 

Elizabethtown, Essex County, 

April 27, 1812. 
His Excellency, Gov. Tompkins, 

Sir : I enclose you the first number of the first paper ever 
printed in this County. The proprietors have placed me at 
the head of its editorial department associated with Ezra C. 
Gross, Esquire, a young gentleman of sound principles and 
excellent talents. The prospectus and some other original ar- 
ticles I wrote myself. 

When I first learned that the appointment I solicited had 
not taken place and probably would not be granted, I must 
own that a momentary gust of indignation against the whole 
Republican party absorbed every passion of my heart. Con- 
cious of the justice of my claims and the increasing of some 
certain charges preferred against me by some of my most in- 
veterate foes and knowing that my support was from some of 
the most influential Republicans of the County who had gone 
great lengths in certifying in my favor I could not have thought 
that my claims could have been disregarded or that a man 
would have been continued in office so odiously unpopular as 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 234 

Frisbie. And now in the situation of Editor with what kind 
of spirit or zeal can I devote my time and talents (though 
small) to the defence or support of a party which seems as yet 
so totally to disregard my rights, my statements, my sufferings, 
my services and my present distressed circumstances. But 
you see, Sir, 1 am yet "tremblingly alive" to the Republican 
interest because I have some, nay, many good friends among 
that party and because I feel and know the cause to be a good 
and just one. I have done everything in my power to convince 
the people here that the prorogation was a wise and politic 
measure — everything in my power to prevent divisions. The 
resolution passed at the County meeting I drafted and intro- 
duced and I cannot but yet hope that my extraordinary case 
will meet with due consideration. My situation is indeed 
truly distressing. I cannot possibly hold out much longer. 

"Sunk in self-consuming anguish 
Can the poor heart always ache ? 
No — the tortur'd nerve must languish 
Or, the strings of life must break." 

Some of these gentlemen who attended at Albany brought 
back word that they had succeeded in their attempts to injure 
me with your Excellency and have boasted that they found 
your friendly opinion of me very much altered before they 
came away. Did I know this to be true it would plunge the 
dagger of affliction still deeper in my heart. 

Mr, Delauce has become quite unpopular in this County. 
His sickness in Albany has made the people here sick of him. 
I suspect his conduct toward me has not been very fair and 
honorable and shall no longer consider him as entitled to any 
confidence with the Council let him be either for or against me. 

I have one request to ask of your Excellency and that is a 
desire that the remonstrance which was sent in against me may 
be forthwith forwarded to me that I may have a chance to de- 



235 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

fend myself against those ruffian assailants of my reputation. 
1 remain your Excellency's most ob't servant, 

Wm. Eay. 

Evidently Ray meant to keep Gov. Tompkins promptly in- 
formed as he wrote immediately after issuing the second num- 
ber of his paper as follows : 
His Excellency Gov. Tompkins, 

Sir : 1 send your Excellency accompanying the letter a 
second number of the Reveille. 

We have not yet received official returns from all the towns 
in the County hut there remains not the least doubt but the 
Republican ticket has prevailed by a handsome majority for 
each candidate. Judge Miller is undoubtedly elected by a 
majority of three or four hundred and as Judge Miller is one 
of my petitioners for the clerkship I flatter myself his success 
will not be unfavorable to mine. Judge Stone who signed a 
petition last winter to have Mr. Frisbie continued in office has 
politically committed suicide on his popularity. Macumber is 
a federalist, Adgate failed in obtaining a nomination and Hoff- 
nagle only got two votes in at our County meeting and one of 
them was given by his brother-in-law. The fact is, sir, that 
every one who is a true Eepublican is in my favor for the office 
I ask. Mr. Frisbie at our town meeting opposed my nomina- 
tion to the chair but could get no one to back him. He held 
himself up for one of our County delegates against me and 
only gote one vote out of more than one hundred ! You may 
see by this sir how popular my enemies and my rivals are. 

I shall forward some more papers and petitions when the 
Honorable Council of Appointment shall have convened for I 
cannot give up what I feel concious is my just right. My sit- 
uation is extremely distressing and if the Republican party 
which I am now serving without fee or reward really wish to 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETH TOWN 236 

see me utterly destroyed they may perhaps be stratified in the 
eud ; but I shall not fall without a struggle to expose the base- 
ness and infamy of my opposers, to do which 1 have now the 
weapon in my own hands. 1 do not by this mean to cast any 
odium on my friends who are much more numerous and repu- 
table than my enemies. In all the Republican towns the peo- 
ple generally wish my success and I know a large majority of 
the voters of the County are on my side ; but it seems I have 
not as yet been able to make your Excellency and the Council 
believe my statements aUhou2;h certified by men of high re- 
spectability. 

I remain your Excellency's Most obedient humble servant. 

Wm. Bay. 

Elizabethtowu, May 9, 1812. 

Two days after the above letter was written Ray wrote Gov. 
Tompkins as follows : 
His Excellency, Gov. Tompkins, 

Sir : It is understood that Brigadier General Wright is ap- 
pointed Colonel in the United States Army ; and as it is ex- 
pected that this brigade will be divided and this County of 
itself compose one brigade it is thought by our friends here 
that a man ought to be made eligible to the office of Brigadier 
General, who is a Republican and a friend to his countrj' and 
no other. As Colonel Barnes has removed from his regiment, 
Major Koble is casting a figure to wind himself into the ap- 
pointment of oldest Colonel that he may ultimately succeed to 
the office of General. He is a bitter enemy of our present ad- 
ministration and many people here would be highly offended 
at his advancement. If Major Skinner is eligible to fill the 
vacancy of Colonel Barnes, his next step I am told would be 
to the station Brigadier General, and as he is a firm Republi- 



237 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

can and a man of good military talents I am confident his ad- 
vancement would do honor to the station and be well received 
by our Republican friends — he might still act as Brigade In- 
spector. 

I remain your Excellency's most obedieut humble servant. 

Wm. Ray. 

Elizabethtown, May 11, 1812. 

It is evident from the following that Ray wrote Gov. Tomp- 
kins and the Council of Appointment May 12, 1812. 
To his Excellency, the Governor, and the Honorable the Coun- 
cil of Appointment of the State of New York. 
Gentlemen : 

I enclose a petition signed by 61 freeholders and inhabitants 
of this County, principally electors and respectable ones too, 
of the town of Jay and all Repuhlicans to a man. This I hope 
together with what has been laid already before your honora- 
ble body will be convincing proof that my appointment would 
be well received by the Hepuhlicans generally of this County, 
though some malicious and self-interested demagogues have 
treacherously endeavoured to prevent it. I believe a like 
number of substantial men's signatures might be obtained in 
almost every town in the County, did I possess the means to 
circulate petitions, but as to the letter signed by Judge Jenks, 
Judge Miller and others last winter amounts to a responsibil- 
ity and assurance on their part that my appointment would be 
popular, I hope your honorable body will require no further 
evidence of it. I have, however, sent a petition to the town of 
Lewis, which may or may not be forwarded in season. I wrote 
last winter referring your honorable body to the opinion of 
Mr. Delance. I now recede from that appeal. Mr. Delance 
has totally lost his popularity and influence in the County — 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 240 

no matter from ivhat causes. The main strength of the Repub- 
lican interest lies in the western towns of the County, Schroon, 
Jay, Keene,Elizabethtown and Lewis — these are all united and 
have carried the Election and can carry their point in spite of 
the other towns. In these towns my support chiefly, that is 
collectively, lies. These who have opposed me have opposed 
Judge Miller's Election or rather his nomination and he is 
elected by the largest majority ever given in this county ! Thus 
it may be seen that my friends are the Republican majority 
of the County. 

As to the remonstrance sent against me I am told your hon- 
orable body were satisfied of its falsehood, baseness and turpi- 
tude — Signed as it was by my most bitter personal enemies 
consisting of old Tories, their sons and federal connections for 
the palpable purpose of covering their own fraudulent conduct 
by attempting to throw the odium of Sheldon's villany on me — 
the truth is these who signed the libel knew no more of the 
actual standing of the copartnership between Sheldon and 
me than Judas Iscariot did of the six million bank. The 
books and papers are in my hands and always have been — 
They have never examined nor asked to examine them — nay 
though solicited by me to do it have refused lest their false- 
hoods should stare them in the face ! 

And now gentlemen permit me to ask will your honorable 
body by your decision declare me guilty of these charges. 
Will you let villany triumph over presumed innocence ? 

Will you plunge the dagger of afiliction still deeper in my 
breast by leaving me under the weight of your displeasure ? 
By disappointing my hopes and pronouncing me a knave ? 
Pardon me, I cannot think of it. 

I now have the editing of a paper here but without pay, 
perquisites or emolument of any kind and you may judge 



241 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

gentlemen with what spirit and feelings I can persist in devot- 
ing my exertions to the support of the present measures of 
administration. Should a man literally stall fed by it and 
pronounced by the publics voice unworthy of the station, be 
continued in office or any other man except myself appointed 
to the office of County Clerk. 

I remain gentlemen, 

Your most obedient Humble Servant, 

William Ray. 

Elizabethtown, Essex County, May 12, 1812. 

To his Excellency the Governor and the Honorable, the Coun- 
cil of Appointment of the State of New York : 
Gentlemen : 

I enclose another petition in my favor for the office of County 
Clerk and renew my requests that my claims be duly attended 
to. 

If information be correct we shall doubtless have a federal 
Council next winter. This, therefore, is the time for those 
who feel disposed ever to pay any respect to the peculiar cir- 
cumstances of my distressed situation to evince their friend- 
ship by doing it. 

I now edit a Republican paper without any fee or reward. 
Give me the office and I will continue to do it — shall continue 
to foster and support the establishment without which I fear 
it must fail. 

It was reported to you last winter, I am told, that I was 
confined to the limits here. This was as false and as base as 
some other of my enemies statements. 

Almost certain of success, I remain. Gentlemen, 
Your most obedient humble serv't, 

William Ray. 
Elizabethtown, Essex County, May 18, 1812. 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BET HTOWN 242 

The following poem by Wm. Kay on Prorogation is further 
evidence of his admiration for Gov. Tompkins : 
Original Poetry by W. Ray, Esq. 
PROROGATION. 

TOMPKINS AND LIBERTY. 

Essex Republicans well done ! 

The battle's fought — the vict'ry won I 

Great be your compensation! 
No war embargo's frightful ghost, 
Hath terried you from your post, 

No yet a Prorogation. 

Elections over, rest awhile. 

And greet each other with a smile 

Of cordial approbation. 
Your suffrages demand our thanks 
And prove you are no friends to banks, 

No foes to Prorogation. 

With Tompkins at the helm the State, 
Pears no disastrous sinking fate, 

No bank incorporation. 
Corruption wastes here fetid breath 
In all the agonies of death. 

At his late Prorogation. 

Sly speculation stands aghast ! 
For Martin lies — in prison fast ! 

(So tattles information.) 
Suspicion points at many more 
While conscience "quietly" bars the door 

And damns the Prorogation. 

That monster of imperial birth, 
Whose chain encompaseth the earth 

And shackles ev'ry nation, 
Is money — plac'd in bribery's hands 
Tis seen — a Tompkins firmly stands 

And braves a Prorogation. 

Suspending for a legal time 
In order to defeat a crime, 

The pow'r of legislation. 
And who but implicated knaves 



243 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Call his prerogative that saves, 
A "Tyrant's Prorogation." 

Let disappointed ad'uce scowl, 
Let loud rebellious factions howl 

In dreadful agitation. 
Their deep nocturnal plots shall fail, 
Tompkins and Liberty prevail 

Spite of the Prorogation. 

Tompkins and liberty then toast 

Our pride and safety, strength and boast 

Esteem and admiration. 
What independency of mind, 
What firm integrity we find 

In his late Prorogation. 

And when our Councils meet again, 
Hope for the best — Hope every stain 

Of guilt or accusation 
May yet be fairly wip'd away. 
So wish and so forever pray 

The friends of Prorogation. 

The SuperviBor of Elizabethtown for the years 1812 and 1813 
was Azel Abel, then living on the farm in the Boquet Valley 
which is to-day owned and occupied by Robert H. Wood. The 
Inspectors of Election for the years 1812 and 1813 were Azel 
Abel, John Lobdell, Boughton Lobdell, Enos Loveland, Asa 
Post. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 244 



War of I8J2 Period, 

War was declared against England at Washington, D. C, 
June 18, 1812. Brigadier General Daniel Wright of Eliz- 
abethtown, who commanded the militia of Essex, Clinton and 
Franklin counties, was immediately called to active duty. 
Gen. Wright received news of the declaration of war June 29th, 
through Major General Benjamin Mooers. The Hon. Benja- 
min Pond, then Congressman from this district, had been one 
of the most pronounced advocates of war. 

A few days after the declaration of war came orders direct 
from Gov. Tompkins which we find in the Tompkins Papers, 
Page 360, as follows : 

Albany, June 27, 1812. 
Sir : — The detachment of Militia from your brigade is hereby 
ordered into service. The detachment from the Essex regi- 
ments will rendezvous at such times and places as you may 
appoint. Such of them as can conveniently assemble at Eliz- 
abethtown, and may not be armed, will arm and equip them- 
selves from the Arsenal at that place. They must supply them- 
selves invariably with blankets and with knapsacks if they 
have them. Such equipments as they may possess will be 
taken with them, and if defective, they will be exchanged at 
the public arsenals. The contingent expenses of transporting 
the detachment from Essex to Plattsburgh will be defrayed by 
the bearer, Capt. Campbell, with whom you will please to 
make the necessary arrangements for that purpose. Major 
Noble will take the command of the detachment, and Dean 



245 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Edson, who is assigned as brigade quarter master, will also 
accompany the detachment to Plattsburgh. Major Noble will 
report himself on his arrival to Major General Mooers and re- 
ceive his orders, Brigade Quarter Master Edson will wait at 
Plattsburgh the arrival of instructions of Brigadier Gen. Micajah 
Pettit, of Washington county. The detachment from Clinton 
will rendezvous at Plattsburgh, and that from Franklin will 
rendezvous and remain at Malone, in said county, until 
orders shall be received from Major Gen. Mooers. The flat' 
tering accounts which I have received of your military talents 
and of your active and zealous patriotism makes me rely with 
confidence upon the earliest possible fulfillment of this order, 
I am, Sir, respectfully your ob't servant, 

Daniel D. Tompkins. 
Brigadier General, Daniel Wright. 

June 26, 1812, Gov. Tompkins wrote from Albany to Major 
John Mills, Washington County, as follows : 

"You will proceed, with the military stores and articles direct 
to Whitehall on Lake Champlain, from whence you will trans- 
port them, together with the cannon ball belonging to the State, 
lying at Whitehall, to Plattsburgh and Essex arsenals. If an 
immediate conveyance by water cannot be obtained, you will 
proceed by land with the articles for Plattsburgh through 
Vermont to Burlington, and from thence send for Gun Boats 
and other vessels from Plattsburgh, or employ them at Bur- 
lington, to transport the articles to Plattsburgh, and from the 
proper point on Vermont shore send across those for Eliz- 
abethtown, Essex County." 

The "proper point on Vermont shore" was, in all human 
probability. Basin Harbor. All boats with an oar or sail in 
the vicinity of Basin Harbor and Northwest Bay were doubt- 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 246 

less brought into use in the transportation of this "warlike 
freight." It is supposed that the first wharf at Northwest Bay 
was built during the War of 1812 and that "its necessity was 
first felt for unloading supplies for the Arsenal at Pleasant 
Valley." Once on the western shore of Lake Champlain the 
military stores were put into rude carts and dragged over the 
rough mountain road to Pleasant Valley, crossing the Black 
River at Morgan's Forge, now Meigsville, as the present Eliz- 
abethtown — Westport turnpike route then lay through un- 
drained swamps. 

It would seem that war's loud alarm did not deter Wm. Ray 
from writing Gov. Tompkins regarding his (Ray's) circumstan- 
ces and the need of something being done for him right away. 
The following letter written 11 days after the declaration of 
war is well worth reproducing here : 

Elizabethtown, June 29, 1812. 
His Excellency Governor Tompkins, 

Sir : Never in my life did I feel myself so oppressed — so 
injured — so degraded, so vitally wounded as at present. Little 
did I think after having received so many proofs of your Ex- 
cellency's friendly disposition towards me and having given so 
much testimony in my own favor that instead of being relieved 
I was to be plunged in still deeper distress. Concious that I 
have not deserved this treatment I felt it the more sensibly, 
but why do I complain ? What hopes can I have that my 
wrongs will be redressed? I seem doomed to perpetual misery 
and disappointment without any cause. Ignorance, folly, stu- 
pidity and infamy are suffered to domineer over me. My pov- 
erty which ought to have been an advocate in my cause 
has been (I cannot but think) a cause of my defeat. Had I 
been rich those who have endeavored to destroy me would 
not have dared the attempt. Had I been less zealous in the 



247 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Republican cause I should have had fewer enemies. I do not 
believe tliere ever was in this or any other country a person 
treated with more ingratitude and injustice than myself. My 
suffering situation in life — the extreme indigence of a worthy 
family — my appeal to justice, to sensibility, to clemency, all of 
which I believe your Excellency to possess, have been totally 
disregarded. "There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart but 
does not feel for man." But as I am determined to publish a 
pamphlet in defence of my rights and character, I shall not 
trouble your Excellency with any more fruitless complaints at 
present than just to state that as war is declared I should 
willingly accept of any station not too laborious for me to en- 
dure the fatigue of wherein I could prove to Your Excellency 
by deeds and not by words only that I am not altogether so 
useless and so bad as I have been represented. I beg of Your 
Excellency not to understand me that I impute to your Excel- 
lency my want of success in the application lately made by 
me for the clerkship as no such charge is meant. 

My family is in a state of absolute starvation and if your 
Excellency should feel disposed to send me some trifling pe- 
cuniary aid until a situation could be procured for me I should 
feel thankful. Perhaps the oflice of Barrack master in or 
about Albany might be obtained for me or deputy Commis- 
sary of provision stores or some such sedentary employ- 
ment — or if I could obtain a place as Editor of a Government 
paper like the Albany Bepublican or even have money ad- 
vanced to continue the Editor of a paper here it might relieve 
my distress. But if there is no help for me, if I am forever 
abandoned by your Excellency do for heavens sake let me 
know it without delay. I hope I am not so utterly contempt- 
able as not to merit a reply. 




ALONZO McDONOUGH FINNEY, 
Elizabethtown's Grand Old Man. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 250 

Maoy people here are much alarmed at the unarmed situa- 
tion of our militia on account of the hostility of the Indians. 

With undiminished respect, I am your Excellency's most 
obedient humble servant, 

Wm. Eay. 

It is learned from brigade orders sent to Major Eansom 
Noble July 4, 1812, that the final rendezvous of the troops was 
at Willsboro. 

And so the Second War with En,e;land, commonly referred 
to as the War of 1812, began in Northern New York. 
Word passed from house to house throughout Elizabeth- 
town : "War is declared ! The Governor . has ordered out 
the militia!" The answering thought in almost every heart 
was "Indians !" From this terror the people of this region were 
never freed until after the War of 1812, in which the savages 
were employed by the British in many engagements. Gov. 
Tompkins, in his dispatches ordering the militia of Northern 
New York to the front, said : "T trust that when you reflect 
upon the indispensable nature of the service upon which the 
detachment is destined, the protection of our frontier breth- 
ren, their wives and children, from massacre by savages, you 
and every other officer and good citizen will join heart and 
hand in forwarding the execution of this requisition." 

Just a week after Independence Day, 1812, Brigadier Gen- 
eral Daniel Wright's quill pen wrote his first report to the 
Commander in Chief, which read as follows : 

Elizabethtown, July 11, 1812. 
Sir : I received your Excellency's order of the 27th of 
June on the 5th inst., directing me to direct the militia de- 
tached from the Essex regiments to march to Plattsburgh. 1 



251 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

suffered no delay. I immediately informed Major Noble that 
he was to march with the troops to Plattsburgh. He cheer- 
fully received the order and proceeded on his way with his 
men on the third day after I received your Excellency's order. 

I likewise informed Brigade Quarter Master Edson that he 
was to repair with the troops, which order he obeyed. Your 
Excellency may rest assured that all and every order within 
my power will be strictly and punctually attended to. 

Suffer me to inform your Excellency that I have been flat- 
tering myself that there would some opportunity present to 
view that I could serve my country in some post of 
office that I could be of service to my country and receive some 
emoluments to myself, as I am not a man of fortune. 1 was 
three years in the late American Revolution, and have held 
seven different military commissions in the militia and have 
been doing duty for twenty-eight years past, to the present 
moment. 

Should your Excellency think proper to remember me, I 
should gratefully acknowledge your Excellency's favor. 

I am, sir, with the highest respect, your Ob't Serv't, 

DANIEL WRIGHT, B. G. 
To His Excellency, Daniel D. Tompkins. 

Thus wrote Brigadier General Daniel Wright, he who had 
served under Col. John Stark and whose commission as 2d 
Lieutenant had been signed in New Hampshire in 1786 by 
Gov. John Sullivan and whose commission as Lieutenant, 
dated 1791, was signed by Josiah Bartlett, who had been a 
signer of that immortal document, the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, and who was then President of New Hampshire. 

Following is a letter written by Gov. Tompkins to Wm. Ray 
a month after war had been declared: 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 252 

Albany, July 18, 1812. 

Dear Sir : 

I sincerely synapathize with you and your family and beg 
leave to say that no want of regard or friendship on my part 
has tended to defeat your prospects. On the contrary, I 
did suppose the appointment of your friend. Major Skinner, as 
Commissary for the Eastern District would enable him to give 
you some satisfactory employment in that Department. Such 
as the Superintendence of the Arsenal at Elizabethtown in his 
stead or something of that kind. 

Should Major General Mooers have any situation or vacancy 
under his command which you would be willing to take and 
for which he will recommend you I will assign you to it imme- 
diately and put you in pay. My cares have been greatly mul- 
tiplied by the new attitude which our country has taken and 
this circumstance plead my apology for the delay in answer- 
ing yours of the 29th June. 

I am, D'r Sir, with much regard, y'r ob't ser't, 

Daniel D. Tompkins. 

William Eay, Esq'r. 

Just before the declaration of war 14 persons met in Eliz- 
abethtown to organize the First Congregational Church of Lewis. 
Following is from a Historical Sketch of the First Con- 
gregational Church of Lewis, New York, Prepared by Mrs. 
Milford Lee, 1901 : 

"On the 12th of June, 1812, a meeting was held at the house 
of Alexander Morse in Elizabethtown for the purpose of or- 
ganizing a Church. Deacon Levi Brown was chosen modera- 
tor. There were present Rev. Cyrus Comstock, Rev. Mr. Bur- 
bank and the following persons, who became members of the 
organization,: David Johnson and wife, Obed Hoi comb and 



253 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

wife, Sage Churchill and wife, Polly Morse, Mahitable Wood- 
ruff, Widow Nicholson, Cyrus Nicholson, Percy Nicholson, 
Sally Sykes, Clarissa Lee, Ishmael Holcorab. It was resolved 
to organize a Church for the town of Lewis and a part of 
Elizabethtown to be called The First Congregational Church 
of Lewis. These fourteen persons uniting in Church relations 
formed the first Church organized in Lewis. 

Rev. Mr. Burbank preached occasionally in 1812 and 1813. 
Meetings were held at the house of Deacon Levi Brown in 
Lewis most of the time. When there was no preaching the 
Deacon read two sermons each Sal)bath, In 1814 meetings 
were held in a barn. There was at this time only one frame 
house in Lewis, the rest were log cabins." 

Rev, Cyrus Comstock, better known as Father Comstock, was 
sent into Essex County by the Berkshire Missionary Society 
of Massachusetts to organize Congregational Churches. Dea- 
con Levi Brown, who was born and reared in the midst of New 
England Congregationalism, emigrated to Lewis shortly after 
the organization of that town. In his wilderness home he 
missed the church relations he had previously so much en- 
joyed and so when Father Comstock was sent out to labor in 
Northern New York, Deacon Brown saw to it that the town of 
his adoption received early attention. Upon his arrival in 
Lewis, Father Comstock was kindly taken into the home of 
Deacon Brown, which continued to be his headquarters for 
several years. 

Following is a copy of the order designating Wm. Ray Bri- 
gade Quarter Master : 

STATE OF NEW YORK, 
Geneeal Orders, 
Head Quarters, Albany, Aug't 26, 1812. 
Dean Edson who was assigned Brigade Q'r Master of the 



eTs:;TORY of elizabethtown 254 

3d detached brigade of the militia of this State, having re- 
signed the said station and General Micajah Pettit Command- 
ant of said brigade, having accepted the same, and assigned 
William Ray to officiate in said station. The Commander in 
Chief hereby approves of the said resignation and assignment, 
and direct accordingly that the said William Ray, be recog- 
nized, obeyed and respected as Brigade Quarter Master of said 
detached Brigade until further orders. 

By order of the Commander in Chief. 

Robert Macomb, 
Lt. Col. & Aid-de-Camp.i 

General Wright's brigade, the 40th, was at the breaking out 
of the "War of 1812 composed of four regiments, drawn from 
a large extent of sparcely settled country. There was the 66th, 
Lieutenant Colonel Airic Mann, the 36tb, Lieutenant Colonel 
Thomas Miller, the 9th, Lieutenant Colonel Elijah Barnes, and 
the 37th, commanded by Major Ransom Noble of Essex. In 
the 37th were a large number of Elizabethtown men. 

There were four different calls to military service during the 
two years of the War of 1812, the first for six months, the 
others for a few days each. 

In Pleasant Valley and contiguous territory men were trained 
to shoot. The fact that large and fierce wild animals, such as 
panthers, wolves and bears, were still plentiful kept residents 
of this section in touch with shooting and straight shooting at 
that. So when the War of 1812 broke out most of the able 
bodied men were "in good trim" for effective military service. 

Lieutenant Thomas MacDonough was given command of 
Lake Champlain September 12, 1812, and shortly afterwards 

1 The Wm. Ray letters and the order desisrnating- Wm. Ray Brigfade Quarter Master were 
clipped from a copy of the Elizabethtown Post & Gazette of April 6, 1899, the letters, etc., 
having been furnished at that time by Henry Harmon Noble, then of the State Historian's 
Office. 



255 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

arrived at his post, as he tells io these words : "After remaining 
a few months in Portland I was ordered by Mr. Madison to 
take command of the vessels in Lake Champlain. Proceeded 
thither across the country through the Notch of the White 
Mountains, partly on horseback, carrying my bundle with 
my valise on behind and a country lad only io company to 
return with my horses. Arrived fatigued at Burlington on 
the lake in about four days and took command of the vessels." 
MacDonough was then 29 years old, having been in the navy 
since he was 17, leading a life of excitement and adven- 
ture in the West Indies and upon the Mediterranean. It 
will be recalled that MacDonough was a midshipman on board 
the ill-fated frigate Philadelphia with Wm. Eay, the pioneer 
journalist of Pleasant Valle}'. 

MacDonough remained upon Lake Champlain until winter 
closed in and then went to Middletown, Conn., where he was 
married the first of December and where he stayed till the 
opening of navigation in the spring. 

MacDonough's task was similar to that of Benedict Arnold 
on Lake Champlain in 1775, if he had a navy he must build it 
himself. Possessed of plenty of energy and resolution, he se- 
lected the place for his navy yard and immediately commenced 
his Herculean task, that of constructing a navy which was 
eventually to not only aid in turning back the tide of aggres- 
sive British invasion at Plattsburgh but was to place the name 
MacDonough in the forefront of the world's naval heroes. 
About four miles from the mouth of a deep, smooth flowing 
stream — Otter Creek — coming into Lake Champlain from the 
Green Mountain State at a point opposite the steep cliff of the 
Split Rock range, at a place called the "Buttonwoods," he 
built his ships. "Buttonwoods," about 10 miles by water 
from Northwest Bay, was safe from attack to a degree which 
no harbor on the lakeshore afforded. 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETH TOAVN 256 

Speaking of the busy scene at "Button woods" Robinson 
says in his "Yermont :" ''A throng of ship carpenters were 
busy ou the narrow flat by the waterside ; the woods were 
noisy with the thud of axes, the crash of falling trees and the 
bawling of teamsters ; and the two furnaces were in full blast 
casting shot for the fleet." 

It is not unlikely that William Ray, editor of The Reveille, 
went from Pleasant Valley to Northwest Bay and crossed Lake 
Charaplain to visit MacDonongh whom he had known amid 
stirring scenes of previous years. It is said that a party of 
young people started from Northwest Bay and visited the navy 
yard under the escort of Lieutenant Piatt Rogers Halstead, 
then 19 years old. Names of others in the party reported to 
the writer were Maria Halstead, sister of Lieutenant Halstead, 
and the 15 year old daughter of Judge Joseph Jenks, Mary by 
name. Mary Jenks afterward married Ira Henderson and the 
author of Pleasant Valley has often heard their daughter, Mrs. 
Mary A. Richards, relate the romantic incident. Such an ex- 
cursion at that time was somewhat dangerous, as British gun- 
boats were astir on Lake Champlain. 

In June, 1813, two of MacDouough'sbest ships, the Growler 
and the Eagle, Commanded by Lieutenant Sidney Smith, 
brother of Colonel Melancton Smith, ventured along down 
Lake Champlain and into the Richelieu River, where they 
were surrounded by the British and captured, after a sharp 
fight. The boats were at once repaired and sent out against 
the Americans, under the names of the Finch and the Chub 
and all that summer and the next were seen upon the lake 
flaunting the British flag. 

Saturday, July 31, 1813, men on galloping horses went 
throughout the township of Elizabethtown warning every 
militia man to rendezvous at Pleasant Valley the next after- 



257 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

noon, "there to wait further orders, as a party of British 
troops have invaded the state and are making for Plattsburgh." 
Then from the mountains and valleys of Keene and Jay, from 
the highlands of Lewis, from Split Rock Falls to Brainard's 
Forge and from the terrified lakeshore towns whose position 
was that of most imminent danger in case of naval attack, the 
men and their officers came flocking in. Missing accoutre- 
ments were supplied from the arsenal, the ranks crystalized 
into order by words of command and away they went along 
the Rogers or State road to the north. On Tuesday, August 
3, General Mooers wrote from Plattsburgh to Gov. Tompkins : 
"Gen. Wright's brigade arrived here yesterday with about four 
hundred troops." If those men left Pleasant Valley (Elizabeth- 
town village) Sunday afternoon and. reached Plattsburgh, 
nearly 40 miles away, on Monday they must have marched all 
night. Surely the grass didn't grow under their feet while on 
that march ! 

Speaking of the arrival of General Wright's troops in Platts- 
burgh, Mrs. Caroline H. Royce says on pages 254 and 255 of 
Bessboro : 

"Arrived at Plattsburgh, they found the place in the hands of 
Col. John Murray of the British regulars who had landed on 
Sunday unopposed, with a force of 1400 men, and was burning 
and plundering at his own will. That this should have been 
so is one of the mysteries and one of the disgraces of the war 
but it hardly belongs to us to discuss it here. When the Brit- 
ish set sail again the Growler and £'a^?e, under their new names, 
and much ashamed, it would seem, of the new colors they were 
forced to fly, went on up the lake; threatened Burlington, and 
sailed away to the north unmolested. Meanwhile our men 
went into camp outside Plattsburgh and ate what their wives and 
mothers had put into knapsacks, and at the end of the five days 




JUDGE ROBERT S. HALE. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 260 

for which they had been warned out, most of them went home 
again, without having fired a shot at the enemy. This was in 
no wise the fault of the soldiers, nor of Gen. Wright, who had 
shown such alacrity in getting to the front. A company of 
Essex County militia remained at "Camp Platte" under the 
command of Captain Luman Wadhams of Lewis until Nov. 18, 
when they went home, and military operations were closed for 
the winter. 

The following from page 183 of a Gazetteer of the State of 
New York by Horatio Gates Spafford, A. M., printed and pub- 
lished by H. C. Soutliwick, No. 94 State Street, Albany, in 
1813, will be of special interest, as it describes Pleasant Valley 
as it appeared in the second year of the War of 1812 : 

Elizabeth-Town, a Post-Township, the capital of Essex 
County, bounded N. by Keene, Lewis and Essex ; E. on Lake 
Champlain, or the State of Vermont; S. by Moriah, W. by 
Scroon. Except along the lake, this township is very moun- 
tainous, though there are some pretty extensive and some very 
fertile vallies. A Mountain, called the Oiant of the Valley ^ 
about one mile S. W. of the court-house, rises to a great 
height, singularly precipitous, and deserves separate notice. 
Pleasant-Valley, is about eight miles in length N. and S., one 
mile wide, and surrounded by high mountains, presenting some 
summits of very great height. At the northern extremity of 
this vale, stand the County buildings, an arsenal, belonging to 
the State, and a number of dwelling-houses, stores, &c., giving 
the appearance of a small Village, called Pleasant- Valley. This 
Village is about 60 rods from the Bouquet river, which runs 
northward through the valley, and about eight miles westerly 
from N. W. Bay, on L. Champlain. This Town has been set- 
tled since about 1785, and now contains 300 families, and 124 
senatorial electors. About half the land in this Town belongs 



261 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

to the State, and of that improved, some is held in fee, and 
some by lease. Watered by Bouquet river and some small 
streams, there is no want of good sites for mills. Timber is 
plenty, and there are several beds, now wrought, of very excel- 
lent iron-ore. There are 4 grist, 7 saw-mills, 4 forges, a card- 
ing-machine, and some other small water-works, and a distil- 
lery. The population is improving rapidly. The roads are 
pretty good, and there is a ferry across the lake to Panton in 
Vermont. At the head of N. W. Bay, there is a small Village 
of about 20 houses, some mills, stores, <fec. The navigation of 
L. Champlain, facilitates the sale of produce, and renders 
Canada the market for this part of the country. Population 
in 1810, males 741, females 621 — 1362 souls. Taxable prop- 
erty, $108,450, real and personal. 

The "Mountain, called the Giant of the Valley, about one 
mile S. W. of the Court House" was our Cobble of to-day, 
the singular precipice, distance and direction from the village 
leaving no doubt as to the identity of the eminence. The real 
"Giant of the Valley," so famous to-day, was not known to the 
public generally in 1813, hence Spafford's error. The little 
errors are excusable in view of the primitive surroundings pre- 
vailing in 1813. 

"Gen. Wright's staff at the beginning of the war," says 
Mrs. Caroline Halstead Eoyce in Bessboro, "consisted of 
Major Joseph Skinner, Brigade Major and Inspector, and 
Capt. John Warford, Brigade Quarter Master, both Clinton 
county men, with Captain John Gould of Essex as Aid-de- 
Camp. The 2nd of March, 1814, the two Clinton county men 
were replaced by David B. McNeil of Essex as Brigade Major, 
and William D. Ross (also of Essex) as Quarter Master, while 
Capt. Gould was retained as Aid. At the same time Capt. 
Luman Wadhams of Lewis was commissioned 2nd Major of 
the 37th regiment, and Diadorus Holcomb Surgeon's Mate, he 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BET HTOWN 262 

having been paymaster of the regiment since Mar. 22, 1809." 

With the opening of spring MacDonough was eagerly at 
work again upon the building and fitting of his fleet. Says 
Robinson : "The sap had scarcely begun to swell the forest 
buds when Vergennes, eight miles up stream, where the first 
fall bars navigation, was astir with the building of other craft 
for the Champlain navy. Forty days after the great oak which 
formed the keel of the Saratoga had fallen from its stump, the 
vessel was afloat and ready for its guns. Several gunboats 
were also built there, and early in May, their sappy timbers 
yet reeking with woodsy odors, the new craft dropped down 
the river to join the fleet at the Buttonwoods. The right bank 
of Otter Creek at its mouth is a rock-ribbed promontory, con- 
nected with the mainland except at high water by a narrow 
neck of low, alluvial soil. On the lake side of the point earth- 
works were thrown up, and mounted with several pieces of ar- 
tillery for the defense of the entrance against an expected 
attempt of the enemy to destroy the American fleet." 

On the afternoon of May 13, 1814, there appeared off the 
village of Essex, as General Wright says in his official report, 
a "British Flotilla consisting of One Brig of twenty guns, six 
Sloops and Schooners and ten Row-gallies." General Wright 
was at least six miles away from the hostile boats, presumably 
putting in his crops, when the alarm sounded. "I residing 
some distance from this village," he writes "and not being 
promptly informed of the appearance of the enemy, Lt. Col. 
Nobles anticipated my wish by ordering out the Militia from a 
number of adjacent towns." Aud so the alarm once more 
spread through Willsboro, Essex, Lewis and Elizabethtown 
and once more the men responded with alacrity to the call. 

General Wright rode down to Essex, where the militia kept 
streaming in all night. On the morning of the 14th the British 



263 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

boats moved away to the south, confirming what had been 
conjectured, that the real object of the invasion was an attempt 
upon MacDocou-^h's fleet in Otter Creek. The works at the 
mouth of Otter Creek were defended by Captain Thornton of 
the artillery and Lieutenant Cassin of the navy. The British 
made an attack, which was repelled with much spirit. 

All this was in sight of Northwest Bay, and only six miles 
away, across Lake Cham plain. 

The British were glad to back off and go north. As they 
did so watchers upon every headland of the lake sent the 
gladsome news inland that there would be no great battle be- 
tween the fleets that day. At noon King George's ships came 
off the village of Essex and "the Commodore," according to the 
report of Gen. Wright, "despatched an oflficer with a flag de- 
manding the surrender of a small sloop belonging to Mr. Wm. 
D. Ross which had been launched two days previous, but 
which had fortunately been conveyed to the southward of 
the Fort at Otter Creek." 

The militia, drawn up a mile back from the village, was in a 
position to command every movement of the enemy. "About 
three o'clock," says Gen. Wright's report, "three of the Ene- 
my's Row gallies passed up the river Boquett and landed at 
the falls, where after demanding the public property (which 
had been timely conveyed to a distance) aud learning that the 
militia were in force a few miles distant and were on the march 
to intercept their retreat, they precipitately embarked in their 
boats and made for the Lake. On ascertaining that the 
enemy were shaping their course towards the mouth of the 
river Lt. Col. Nobles directed his march towards that point 
and I approving of his plan of operation, I directed him to 
cross the wood and post his men on the bank of the River, 
which was done with the greatest promptness in time to arrest 
the progress of the enemy's gallies, the crew of which were so 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 264 

disabled as to oblige them to hoist a flag of distress, when a 
sloop came to their assistance and towed her off." Two 
Americans were slightly wounded. The position of the Ameri- 
cans during the fight was favorable, firing as they were from 
the top of the river bank which is quite high and steep near 
the mouth of the Boquet. The guns in the galley evidently 
could not be pointed high enough to reach the Americans, 
as most of the cannon ball struck the bank. The report con- 
cludes: "I hope and expect Commodore MacDonough will in 
the course of a few days be able to assume the command of 
the lake, which will relieve the anxiety of the inhabitants resid- 
ing on its borders." 

Speaking of the conduct of the militia engaged at the mouth 
of the Boquet River, General Wright says : "It would be in- 
vidious to distinguish particular officers and soldiers who 
acted in this encounter. With pleasure I can assure you that 
every man engaged conducted himself with the cool delibera- 
tion of a veteran." 

Just after the repulse of the British galleys at the mouth of 
the Boquet River the late Abraham Chase of Willsboro, father 
of the late Dr. E. R. Chase of Essex, and Jo Call, the modern 
Hercules, who were members of the same company, went into 
the tavern at Willsboro to get a drink. Under the influence 
of the "good cheer" of which they partook while in the tavern 
Abraham Chase, who was quite an athletic man and consider- 
able of a wrestler, said "Jo, I feel good enough to throw you," 
whereupon they took hold in front of the tavern and by some 
hook or crook he (Chase) did throw Jo Call. At least this is 
the substance of a report given by the late Dr. E. R. Chase of 
Essex to Henry Harmon Noble and the writer gets the 
statement from a letter written by Mr. Noble March 20, 1901. 

Abraham Chase was a member of Captain John Richard- 
son's and Captain Abraham Aiken, Jr's company and served 



265 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

all through the War of 1812. After the War of 1S12 he was 
commissioned Captain in the 37th Regiment and was generally 
known as Captain Chase. The mortal remains of the man 
Avho is said to have thrown Jo Call in front of the old Willsboro 
tavern were buried in the Lyude Cemetery at Willsboro. 

Shortly after the repulse of the British galleys at the mouth 
of the Boquet Elver MacDonough's squadron sailed out of 
Otter Creek into Lake Champlain and away to the north. All 
that summer (1814) soldiers and supplies were observed pass- 
ing down Lake Champlain toward the frontier. 

The latter part of August, 1814, General Izard with the army 
of 4,000 troops came marching along the State Road which 
had then been in use just a quarter of a century. General 
Izard and his army had been ordered from Plattsburgh to the 
Niagara frontier. A portion of General Izard's army camped 
on the Steele farm in Lewis and some of the dare devils as- 
cended the mountain since called Mt. Discovery, hiding can- 
non balls in the crotches of trees, to be found many years af- 
terwards by wondering men. One of these cannon balls found 
on Mt. Discovery 30 years ago and brought to Elizabethtown 
village by the late Harvey Brownson was shown to the writer 
at "Al." Fuller's blacksmith-shop. While the soldiers were 
on Mt. Discovery a fire was lighted which was observed from 
the village of Elizabethtown. 

The main portion of General Izard's army, however, camped 
for the night where the Methodist Church and the High 
School building now stand in the village of Elizabethtown, 
but a few rods distant from the State Arsenal. The sol- 
diers were quiet and orderly while in the village. They 
were astir early in the morning and as they passed up the 
Boquet Valley stole a fine young horse from the late 
Oliver Abel, Sr., then a man 25 years of age. Mr. Abel 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 266 

did not like the idea of losing his favorite horse and followed 
the soldiers till they camped near what is now the line be- 
tween the towns of Elizabethtown and North Hudson. While 
the soldiers slept and the sentinel was off his guard, young Abel 
mounted his steed and rode away. His departure was discov- 
ered at once and shots were fired iu his direction but he es- 
caped unharmed and rode his horse home with a feeling of 
supreme satisfaction. A few hours afterwards he went to fight 
at Plattsbuj'gh, going iu Captain John Lobdell's company of 
mounted men, riding the identical horse he had thus re- 
covered from General Izard's soldiers. Of this incident he 
proudly boasted to the day of his death more than 65 years 
afterwards. 

Scarcely had the tramp and music of General Izard's troops 
died awa}' in the distance when mounted men came riding into 
Elizabethtown from the north warning out the militia to repel 
a British invasion from Canada. General Wright, at home on 
his hillside farm, received his division orders by the hand of a 
horseman, one of his own staff, from Essex, to whom they had 
been brought from Plattsburgh. The paper was endorsed on 
the outside "Express, Will Major McNeil or John Gould, Aide, 
at Essex, see that this order is delivered immediately." The 
paper read as follows on the inside : 

"Division Orders, Plattsburgh, August 31, 1814. 

Brig. Gen. Daniel Wright will assemble immediately the 
whole of the Militia under his command in the county of 
Essex and march directly to Plattsburgh to repel an invasion 
of the State of New York. 

Companies as fast as they assemble will march to this place 
or to some place of rendezvous in the vicinity thereof, without 
waiting for others, those near the arsenal will supply them- 
selves with arms from thence which the commissary is here 



267 HISTORY OP ELIZABETHTOWN 

directed to issue. Others will be furnished when they arrive 
here. 

By order of Major-Gen. 

BENJAMIN MOOEKS. 
R H. WALWOETH, Aid-de-Camp." 

At the time Major General Mooers was writing the Division 
Order at Plattsburgh August 31, 1814, the soldiers of King 
George III had actually invaded the State of New York by 
way of Canada. These soldiers, 14,000 strong, many of whom 
had served under Wellington in the Peninsula Campaign 
against Napoleon, were attempting to carry into execution one 
of the boldest schemes which ever originated in the mind of 
man. The British administration, knowing that the New Eng- 
land States were averse to war and that they would much pre- 
fer peace, contemplated a dismemberment of the Union by 
securing possession of Lake Champlain and the Hudson River 
from the north and New York City from the south, believing 
that the consequent division of our glorious republic would re- 
sult in the establishment of a separate peace with the Eastern 
States. At the head of this proud invading army, "with bands 
of music and flying banners," was Sir George Provost, who 
was cherishing the idea that he was going to win a hero's name 
on the banks of the Saranac River. 

As the news of this invasion was carried along up the west- 
ern shore of Lake Champlain and into the country contiguous 
to it the greatest excitement prevailed. Neighbors went from 
house to house discussing the situation and all able bodied 
men rallied to aid in turning back the tide of British invasion 
which threatened to destroy their beloved homes in what was 
then little short of a wilderness. In our day of telegraph and 
telephone how strange it seems that the main body of our own 




JUDGE BYRON POND. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 270 

aruiy under General Izard was marcbiug away to the south at 
the moment Sir George Provost and his proud army were 
approaching Plattsburgh. It seems almost incredible that 
such should have been the fact, even without the tele^^raph and 
telephone. 

General Wright's brigade, in Major General Benjamin 
Mooers' division, consisted at this time of three regiments, the 
9th, Lieutenant Colonel Martin Joiner, the 37th, Lieutenant 
Colonel Kansom Noble, and Major Keubeu Sanford's inde- 
pendent battalion. In the 37th were most of our militia men, 
also those from the town of Lewis who went to Plattsburgh 
and fought under Deacon Levi Brown as Ensign-Commandant, 
Luman Wadhams having been Captain of the Company be- 
fore he was commissioned 2d Major of the 37th regiment. 

Following is a list of the men who fought under Deacon 
Levi Brown, grandfather of the author of Pleasant Valley, at 
the Battle of Plattsburgh: 

Levi Brown, Ensign. 
Noah Lee, Serg't. 

Oliver Holcomb, " 
Cheeny Burpee, " 
Isaac Bristoll, " 
Thomas Carr, Corp. 
Jno. Nicholson, '* 
Timothy Lee, " 
Isaac Wells, Musician. 
Samuel Bishop, " 
Ede Alder, Private. 

Shadrack Burpee, " 
Jeremiah Bennett, " 
Eeuben Bristoll, " 



271 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 



Elijah Deunison, 

Elijah Evans, 

Asa Farnsworth, 

Levi Francis, 

John Gibbs, 

Wilson Hogg, " wounded 6tb. 

Thomas P. Jones, 

Cyrus Nicholson, 

Samuel Nelson, 

Henry Parker, 

Asabel Randall, 

Thomas Steele, 

Reuben Spaulding, 

Phiuehas " 

John Tyler, 

Joseph Tippetts, 

Thomas Wood, 

Roger H. Woodruff, 

David Westcott, " slightly wounded 6th. 

On Friday, September 2d, the first detachment of Elizabeth- 
town soldiers marched away towards Plattsburgh, ouly a day 
or two after General Izard and his troops had gone up the 
Boquet Valley 4,000 strong. Captain Levi Frisbee and Cap- 
tain Jesse Braman went with men from Northwest Bay and 
the "Falls" sections. 

And right here the author takes great pleasure iu placing 
the names of the men of two Elizabethtown Companies — Cap- 
tain John Lobdell's cavalry and Captain John Calkin's in- 
fantry — on the printed pages of local history for the first time. 
It has long been known that oblivion could never shroud the 
splendor of the achievements of the militia at the Battle of 
Plattsburgh and henceforth the individual names of our own 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 272 



Elizabethtown participants in that sanguinary conflict shall 
shine in the hmehght of publicity. i 

Following is a list of the cavah-ymon who went from Eliz- 
abethtown to serve at Plattsburgh in September, 1814 ; 

John Lobdell, Captain. 

Samuel Lee, 1st Lieutenant. 

Sampson Smith, 2d " 

Selah Westcott, Cornet. 

John Blake, Serg't. 

Mahlan Darlin, 

Lucius Lobdell, " 

Oliver Abel, Corporal. 

Bobert Thompson, Jr., Corporal. 

Balph Phelps, 

Benjamin Baxter, " 

Azor Squire, Trumpeter. 

Samuel Brunson, Private. 

Abiel Beach. 

Barret Bishop. 

Offin Barret, on express to Albany on order of Gen. Mooers* 

John Burt. 

James Cutler, 

Jonathan Cutler. 

Daniel Fish. 

William Heaton. 

Alden Hull. 

Erastus Joiner. 

Elisha Leonard. 

Bouton Lobdell. 

1 The author of Pleasant Valley worked, first and last, over 20 years gfetting the names of 
the members of the Lewie Company and these two Elizabethtown Companies, Finally the 
"missing links" were supplied by that indefatigable student of local history— Henry Harmon 
Noble of Essex, grandson of the late General Ransom Noble of the same place. 



273 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Amos Perry. 

James O. Partridge. 

Levi Rice. 

Truman Rice. 

Jeremah Jericho. 

Thomas Squire. 

Oliver ^^estcott. 

Abijah Show, wagoner. 

It will be noted that there were three Lobdells in Elizabeth - 
town's Company of horse. It may be added here that they 
were brothers and that Captain John Lobdell who led our 
cavalry at Plattsburgh was one of the "bravest and best" the 
town ever knew. According to his commission papers, which 
have been in the writer's possession since the latter 80s, John 
Lobdell was in 1808 cornet in the cavalry troop of Theodorus 
Ross, in 1811 1st Lieutenant and Captain in 1812. He re- 
signed in 1817. He was an expert rider, being one of the finest 
appearing men on horseback ever seen in Pleasant Valley. 

Following is a list of Captain John Calkin's Company of 
foot soldiers, infantry as we say to-day : 

John Calkin, Captain. 

Norman Nicholson, Serg't. 

Asahel Root, " 

Orson Kellogg, " 

Lewis Pierson, *' 

Roman Brownson, Corporal. 

Chauncey Alford, " 

Charles B. Prindle, 

Valentine Kellogg, " 

Charles Miller, Drummer. 

Erastus Simonds, Pifer. 

Ariel Abel, Jr., Private. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 274 

^oslina Blake. 

William Brown. 

Jonathan Betts. 

Calvin Calkin. 

Elijah Calkin. 

Isaac Calkin. 

Benjamin Calkin. 

Nathan Betts. 

Andrew Goodrich. 

James Howies. 

Freeman Holcomb. 

Ansel Holcomb, wounded Sept 11th. died Sept. 13th. 

Odle Hoose. 

Alanson Hanmer. 

Ebenezer Hanchett. 

•Samuel Jenkins. 

Darid Judd. 

John Knos. 

William Kelloggv 

Ezra Nichols. 

Owen Oaks. 

Kichard Phelps. 

Nathan Perry. 

Jonathan Post. 

Gardner Simonds> 

George Tuesdal. 

Elijah Thayre, Jr. 

Daniel Thayre. 

Isaac Toms, killed in action Sunday, Sept. llth. 

David Van Guilder. 

Luther Waite. 

John Waite. 

Murray Waterman. 



275 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

There were five Calkiu brothers in this company. Moreover, 
there were three brothers-in-law of the Calkin brothers in 
the company. Quite a record of family patriotism for one 
company raised in a little mountainous township. To our 
knowledge the record has never been surpassed in this north- 
ern region. 

It will readily be seen that a large number of new family 
names appear in the lists of soldiers given. At this period 
there were also new settlers at the "Falls" and in the North- 
west Bay section. 

Tuesday, Sept. 6th, General Mooers took our militia men 
across the Saranac River to meet a column of British troops 
which was moving upon Plattsburgh. There was some sharp 
fighting as the militia retired to the river and General Mooers 
says : "Some part of the militia behaved on this occasion, as 
well as since, with the greatest gallantry, and were not sur- 
passed in courage and usefulness by the regulars on that day." 
And it may be added here that he was obliged to say that 
some of the militia luent home. None of our Elizabethtown 
troops, however, were scared enough to run home that day. 

Sunday, September 11, 1814, the great and decisive Battle 
of Plattsburgh was fought. The fighting on land was along 
the Saranac River. On the south bank of the river our local 
militia did some great fighting, resisting the advance of the 
veterans who had served under "Wellington with a vigor and 
determination worthy of praise. The British attempted to 
cross the Saranac at three points, one at the village bridge where 
they were repulsed by the artillery and guards under Captains 
Brooks, Richards and Smith, one at the upper bridge where 
they were foiled by the pickets and Riflemen under Captain 
Grovener and Lieutenants Hamilton and Smith, supported by 
a detachment of militia, and the third at the ford near "Pike's 
cantonment," where they were resisted by the militia under 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 276 

Major General Benjamin Mooers and Brigadier General Daniel 
Wright of Elizabethtowc. This is in accordance with the 
report given in Palmer's History of Lake Chainplain. 

As the British vessels rounded Cumberland Head at 8 o'clock 
that beautiful Sunday morning, September 11, 1814, they 
found MacDonough at anchor waiting for them. 

According to Palmer's History of Lake Champlain the Brit- 
ish fleet consisted of the Coufiance, 37 guns, over 300 men, 
commanded by Commodore Downie in person, the Linnet, 16 
guns and 120 men, under Captain Pring, the Chub, Lieutenant 
McGhee, and the Finch, Lieutenant Hicks, each of the latter 
boats carrying 11 guns and about 45 men. To these ves- 
sels were added 13 gnu boats with about 45 men each. Five of 
the gun boats carried two guns and eight one gun each. 

MacDonough's fleet consisted of his flag-ship Saratoga, 26 
guns, the brig Eagle, 20 guns, Captain Henly, the schooner 
Ticonderoga, 17 guns, Lieutenant Budd. Then there were six 
galleys, the Allen, Burrows, Borer, Nettle, Viper and Centi- 
pede, each with 2 guns, and four galleys, the Ludlow, Wilmer, 
Alwyn and Ballard with one gun each. Some of these boats 
had been built at Esses and taken to Otter Creek to be fitted 
with their armaments. 

Palmer states that the naval force of the Americans amounted 
to only 882 men, while the British force amounted to 1,000 men. 

The following words from the late Hon. Julius C. Hubbell 
of Chazy who witnessed the naval battle from Cumberland 
Head, are taken from the Plattsburgh Republican of Feb. 1, 
1879 : 

"MacDonough's fleet was anchored between Cumberland 
Head and Crab Island, a little inside, and the British fleet bore 
down upon them, under a good northerly breeze. The British 
guns had much the longest range, but strangely enough they 
came down within easy range of our guns, instead of keeping 



277 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

otf farther out of reach and usinj? their advauta^e. This was 
perhaps owing to a miscalculation on the wind, but anyhow it 
seemed providential. 

Soon the firing commenced. I cannot begin to describe that 
scene. I was near the point of the Head, on the west shore 
and had a perfect view of the whole battle. The firing was 
terrific, fairly shaking the ground, and so rapid that it seemed 
to be one continuous roar, intermingled with spiteful flashing 
from the mouths of the guns, and dense clouds of smoke soon 
hung over the two fleets. It appeared to me that our guns 
were discharged three times to the enemy's once, and a British 
ofiicer afterwards told me that it took twelve men to manage 
each of them." 

It is recorded that the brave Downie, a large, fair looking 
man, was one of the first killed. The surgeons could find no 
mark upon him and concluded that lie must have been killed 
by a spent shot. 

Speaking of the incident which contributed so materially iu 
deciding one of the greatest naval battles of history the late 
Hon. Julius C. Hubbell said : 

"I saw the two midshipmen [Piatt and Bailey ?] go out in 
their small boat, as it was necessary for somebody to do in or- 
der to swing the Saratoga around so as to bring her fresh 
broadside to bear upon her enemy — the Confiance. It seemed 
as if that little boat must be struck, the shot were flying so 
thick all about it, and I believe it was struck several times, 
but the Saratoga was warped about, and when that fresh 
broadside opened it seemed as if she was all on fire. The bat- 
tle was soon decided after that, and the British flags came 
down one after another." 

One of the British marines who was at Trafalgar with Lord 
Nelson said it was a mere fiea hite in comparison with the 




WILLIAM WALL, 
Fifer Under "Wellington at Waterloo, and His wife Nancy. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 280 

Battle of Plattsburgh, Certainly the opinion of a man who had 
been in both battles ought to carry weight. 

It will be recalled that the fighting was in progress both on 
land and water at the same time that Sunday morning, Sept. 
11, 1814, at Plattsburgh. Sir George Provost had 13,000 vet- 
erans at Plattsburgh, one regiment having remained at Chazy, 
while the American forces under General Alexander Macomb 
did not exceed 1,500 regulars and General Daniel Wright's 
brigade, 700 strong, plus 2500 Vermont volunteers commanded 
by General Strong who arrived just in time to aid materially 
in turning back the British veterans. Under General Strong 
served at least one volunteer — John James — who afterwards 
settled in Elizabethtown. He lived to be over 90 years of age 
and drew a pension on account of the service rendered at the 
Battle of Plattsburgh. He was the father of John James of 
Elizabethtown and died at the latter's home in the Boquet 
Valley in the spring of 1885. 

Major Reuben Sanford personally took an axe and cut a 
stringer over the Saranac River while the British bullets were 
flying thick and fast about him, his only remark being "It's 
too bad to spoil such a good axe." 

Concerning the part taken by the militia under the immedi- 
ate command of Majors Sanford and Wadhams, General 
Mooers says in his report to the Commander-in-chief : 

"On the morning of the 11th the action began with the fleet, 
the enemy at the same time opening all his batteries upon our 
forts. About an hour afterwards the enemy presented them- 
selves in considerable force to effect a passage of the Sara- 
nac at a fordable place, one of my cantonment, where the Essex 
militia and some few detached volunteers were posted. In 
disputing the passage of the river a sharp contest ensued. 
The militia under the command of Majors Sanford and Wad- 
hams, two excellent officers, stood their ground during a num- 



281 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

ber of well-directed fires, and until the enemy had efi'ected the 
passage of the river and ascended the bank, when a retreat 
was ordered and effected in good order before a force evidently 
far superior, carefully improving every good position to con- 
tinue our fire upon them." 

The mihtia fell back about two miles to a battery and there 
made a stand, checking the advance of the enemy. At this 
point a man on horseback — Major Walworth, then Adjutant 
General of Major General Mooers' division, afterwards Chan- 
cellor Walworth — rode up to the ranks waving his hat, pro- 
claiming the welcome intelligence that the British fleet had 
surrendered. 

Oliver Abel who had been detailed for scout duty and who 
had witnessed the naval battle from a place of safety on shore, 
closely followed Major Walworth and was gladly received by 
his comrades in arms from Elizabethtown. With hearty cheers 
the militia pressed forward and the enemy fell back, retreating 
across the Saranac River. Captain John Lobdell got his cal- 
varymen in order and not only crossed the Saranac River but 
followed the retreating British several miles north of Platts- 
burgh. 

Anson Finney, who started from Elizabethtown early Sun- 
day morning with supplies, arrived at Plattsburgh just as the 
battle ended. 

The grandfather of ex-Assemblyman Wesley Barnes of Mi- 
nerva was confined on the limits here in Elizabethtown for 
debt at the time of the British invasion. He is said to have 
been released with the understanding that he would go to 
Plattsburgh and fight, which his descendants report that he 
did, taking several men with him from this section. 

Isaac Toms of Captain John Calkin's Company of infantry 
was killed while heroically facing the British veterans on the 
south bank of the Saranac that fateful Sunday. The mortal 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 2^2 

remains of this man were brought back to Elizabethtown and 
buried in the old cemetery. Ansel Holcomb, also of Captain 
John Calkin's Company, was shot in the side September 11th, 
standing beside his cousin, Jonathan Post, when struck. He 
died September 13th and his body was brought home and 
buried in the Boquet Valley cemetery. 

There were six Ponds at the Battle of Plattsburgh in Cap- 
tain Kussell Walker's Company from Schroon — 1st Sergeant 
Jared Pond who married Mary, daughter of Piatt Bogers, Cor- 
poral Isaac W. Pond and privates Ashley, Benjamin (Con- 
gressman) Nathan and William Pond. Inasmuch as the Pond 
family has been a part of Elizabethtown's population for 90 
years it seems appropriate that the foregoing names should be 
mentioned at this point in Pleasant Valley, and especially as a 
son of Ashley Pond, the late Byron Pond, contributed much in- 
formation used in this work. 

Alden Hull of Captain John Lobdell's cavalry troop was a 
son of Eli Hull, who groomed General Washington's horse at 
Valley Forge. And it may be added here that Eli Hull and 
two other sons, Joseph and Eli B., fought in the American 
army at Plattsburgh, Sept. 11, 1814. 

Captain Levi Frisbee was the most seriously wounded of 
any of our Elizabethtown men, losing a leg. General Mooers 
refers to Captain Frisbee in a letter to General Wright as 
follows : 

"Capt. Frisbee, by whom I had this, has called on me. I 
have signed the certificate to which your name is attached, or 
rather made a certificate on the back of that, yet his name 
ought to be annexed to your return of the disabled and 
wounded, which return I wish to have, with those of the killed, 
as soon as you can conveniently obtain them. I expect soon 
to set out for Albany, and wish to take them with me. 
I am, Sir, your obedient servant, 

BENJ. MOOERS. 

Plattsburgh, 28 July, 1815. 

To Brig. Gen. Daniel Wright, Elizabethtown." 



283 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Henry H. Ross (afterwards Gen. Ross) was adjutant of the 
37th at the Battle of Plattsburgh. Of course he lived at Essex 
but was long a large property owner in Elizabetbtown and was 
a familiar figure for half a century. 

Dr. Diadorus Holcomb, the first physician to locate at North- 
west Bay, did good service as Surgeon's Mate at the Battle of 
Plattsburgh. 

Eusign John Greeley (Northwest Bay) was wounded in the 
shoulder at Plattsburgh. 

Ensign Dunster of the "Falls" section served at Plattsburgh. 

Isaac Alden, Samuel Anderson, Jeduthan Barnes, (the fid- 
dler) Joshua Bennett, Ephraim Bull, Joseph Call, Tillinghast 
Cole, Seymour Curtis, John Daniels, Joshua Daniels, Archi- 
bald Dunton, Elijah Dunton, David Clark, Darius Ferris, 
Gideon Hammond, Joseph M. Havens, Ira Henderson, 
(wounded at Plattsburgh) Johnson Hill, Abner Holcomb, Amos 
Holcomb, Asa Kinney, Waite B. Lawrence, Erastus Loveland, 
Wilson Low, Piatt Rogers Sheldon, Ebenezer Sherman, Wil- 
liam Viall, Benjamin Hardy, Joel French, Salmon Cooper, 
Thomas Hadley and John Whitney are the names of men said 
to have served in the War of 1812, most of them at Plattsburgh, 
and whose remains were buried in soil which was once part of 
Elizabetbtown, namely in what is now the town of Westport, 
and from which section many of them went to fight for their 
country. 

The militia were disbanded shortly after the signal victory 
at Plattsburgh but the scene of the recent camp of the British 
on the north side of the Saranac River was a fascinating spot 
and many of our "boys" visited it. Sir George Provost left 
much behind which was eagerly picked up by militiamen. It 
might be stated here that Sir George Provost, the proud Gov- 
ernor-General of Canada, who had shown such parade when 
he came to Plattsburgh did not pay much attention to music 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 284 

and banners on his retreat. He appeared to be in such a hurry 
that he spilled and lost most of the stuff he tried to take back 
to Canada. The late Hoo. Julius C. Hubbell of Chazy, who 
married a daughter of Judge Pliny Moore, and who witnessed 
the advance and retreat of the British, said of their return to 
Canada : 

"The main idea seemed to be to get back. Their ammuni- 
tion and commissary wagons were very heavy and costly — one 
of them drawn by six noble horses broke down a short distance 
south of this village, and the powder was trodden into the 
mud so as to discolor it and scent the air for a long time after- 
wards." 

Two soldiers who deserted the English army just before the 
Battle of Plattsburgh — Daniel Baker and Henry Ingraham — 
came to Elizabethtown, settled and made good citizens. De- 
scendants of both men still live in this town. 

What a proud home coming it must have been for our Eliz- 
abethtown heroes and how their wives and sweethearts must 
have welcomed them on that never-to-be-forgotten return ! 

The Battle of Plattsburgh was supposed to end the War of 
1812, the treaty of Ghent being signed on the 24th of Decem- 
ber, 1814, but General Andrew Jackson was ignorant of what 
had been done and so he "put it on" to the British at New 
Orleans, La., January 8, 1815, at which time and place Gen- 
eral Packenham was slain. However, February 17, 1815, the 
treaty was ratified by the United States Senate and so General 
Jackson sheathed his sword and waited his turn to take the 
Presidential chair. 



285 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 



Elizabethtown Just After the Battle of Plattsbofgh. 

Elizabethtown's Supervisor during the eventful year 1814 
was Enos Loveland, the Inspectors of Election being Enos 
Loveland, Asa Post, Boughton Lobdell. 

Captain John Calkin came home from Plattsburgh and re- 
sumed agricultural pursuits on his farm up towards Mt. Hur- 
ricane, his place being the one now owned and occupied by 
Mrs. Lillian Alice Hayes. 

John Knox, who married Captain John Calkin's eldest sis- 
ter, moved into Elizabethtown previous to the Battle of Platts- 
burgh, as he took part in that engagement, serving in the 
company of his brother-in-law. John Knox had a large fam- 
ily of children. A son, George Knox, married Julia Ann 
Jackson. A daughter, Kaziah, married Thomas Stafford, 
another daughter, Sabra, married Levi Goff and Ann Eliza, a 
younger daughter, married Philip Smith Miller. The children 
of the last mentioned union were Minerva, who became the 
wife of Leander Blood and died in Wakrusa, Kan., and John 
Knox, who married Amanda Dwinnell. Ann Eliza Miller, 
widow of Philip S. Miller, lives with her son in the Brainard's 
Forge section, being in the 97th year of her age. 

John Knox married Levi Lobdell's widow for his second 
wife, by which union several children were born, all of whom 
are dead. 

David Osgood and Rhoda Hall, his wife, moved to Eliz- 
abethtown in 1814, settling on the farm still occupied by the 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 286 

Osgood family. Their children were Harry D., Rlioda, Solo- 
moD Washington and David. 

Solomon Washington Osgood, born January 26, 1808, mar- 
ried Anna Bates, daughter of Samuel Bates, the ceremony 
taking place in the town of Hammond, St. Lawrence Co., N. 
Y., Feb. 26, 1833. In September, 1833, Mrs. S. W. Osgood 
came to Elizabethtown to reside on the farm just east of this 
village which has continued to be her home for almost 72 years. 

David Osgood, Sr., died in May, 1848, and was buried in the 
old cemetery. Solomon Washington Osgood died February 3, 
1880, and was buried near his father in the old cemetery. His 
widow still survives, being in her 92d year, a remarkably well 
preserved old lady and one whose whole life has been that of 
a faithful, consistent Christian, Of her large family of chil- 
dren there survive Mrs. Jeanette P. Emmes, Mrs. Gertrude A. 
Church, Starks S., Mrs. Emma F. Wilson, Mrs. Theressa A. 
Carter and Wilbur D., the latter having always remained at 
home, carrying on the farm, etc. 

Warren Bates Osgood, a deceased son, was a Methodist 
minister of high standing. He died about 24 years ago. 
Clement, another deceased son, died about 8 years ago. 

Philip Miller and Manoah Miller came from Shoreham, Vt., 
and settled west of Elizabethtown village during the War of 
1812, their locality having ever since been known as the Miller 
settlement. Philip Miller married Dorcas Smith. Their chil- 
dren were Charles, Susan, Manoah, Philip Smith, Lovina, 
Nathaniel, Nicanor and Stephen. 

Charles Miller married twice, his second wife being Sophia 
Lee. 

Manoah Miller married for his first wife Melinda Nichols, 
his second wife being Susan Goodrich and the third Mary 
Dwinnell. Manoah Miller's children were Philip and Charles E. 



287 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Philip Smith Miller married Ann Eliza Knox, before men- 
tioned. 

Nathaniel Miller married Emily Westcott, daughter of Oliver 
Westcott, for his first wife, his second wife being Clarinda Rowe, 
daughter of Leland Kowe. Nathaniel Miller's children were 
George Jasper, Amelia, who married Myron Brewster, Eleanor, 
who married George G. White, Solon and Eva, who married 
Arthur Pratt. George Jasper Miller married Eleanor Rowe. 

Nicanor Miller married Marvana Beede for his first wife, 
his second wife being Ellen Goff. 

Lovina Miller married Joseph Nichols. 

Stephen Miller went to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., where he 
married and settled. 

A copy of The Reveille, published at Elizabethtown, Essex 
County,"N. Y., Wednesday, October 12, 1814, (Vol. Ill, No. 
25) is before the author of Pleasant Valley. It is a most in- 
teresting issue, containing President Madison's Message, Di- 
vision Orders by Maj. Gen. Mooers, R. H. Walworth, A. D. 
C, copy of a letter from Com. MacDonough to the Secretary 
of War, Gov. Daniel D. Tompkins' speech to the Senate and 
Assembly, a draft of the answer of the Senate to the speech of 
his Excellency, a copy of the Proclamation issued by Gov. 
Martin Chittenden of Vermont, a copy of a letter from Captain 
Oliver Hazard Perry to the Secretary of the Navy. 

This issue also contains the following death notice : "Died — 
In Schroon, on the 6th insi, Hon. Benjamin Pond, Esq., aged 
about 45." 

It may be added here that Congressman Pond died of "camp 
fever" contracted while serving his country in a military ca- 
pacity at Plattsburgh and that he was buried in Pine Ridge 
cemetery, in what is now the town of North Hudson. His tomb- 
stone bears this epitaph nor which were truer words ever chis- 
eled on enduring marble. "Thus entombed the remains of him 



MR. and MRS. MILO CALKIN. 



HISTORY OP ELIZABETHTOWN 290 

who was by his fellow citizens esteemed a patriot and upon 
whom was oft conferred hi^h proofs of their confidence. He 
was honorable in life, and his virtues inspire the hope that he 
is happy in death." 

Through The Reveille we learn that Oliver Person was then 
(Oct. 12, 1814,) serving as Post Rider. Oliver Person and his 
wife, Abigail Fifield, had resided in Elizabethtown several 
years. He was the father of the late Norman N. Person and 
of the late Harry Person who long kept hotel at Westport and 
Maria Person, who married Hiram Calkin, heretofore men- 
tioned, Lewis Person, who married Mary Wilder, sister of 
Alanson Wilder, Abigail Person, who married a man named 
Hapgood and Polly Person, who married Ashbel Brownson, Jr. 

A mortgage foreclosure notice published in The Reveille of 
Oct. 12, 1814, shows that on the 5th day of August, 1808, 
"Theodorus Ross of the Town of Elizabethtown in the County 
of Essex" borrowed $500 of Jonas Gibbs, Jr., for which he 
gave security on 143 acres of land in Elizabethtown. In de- 
fault of payment said Gibbs advertised to sell the land to the 
highest bidder "at the house now occupied by Norman Newell 
and son in Elizabethtown aforesaid." The advertisement com- 
menced Nov. 8, 1813, and sale had been postponed four times. 
Ezra C. Gross was attorney for Gibbs in the matter. Search 
in the Essex County Clerk's office leads one to conclude that 
Ross finally raised the money, with interest, presumably 
through the Van Rensselaers, and held on to his land till the 
early 30s when he sold out and left Elizabethtown. 

Blanks were for sale at The Reveille office and cash was 
also paid for clean cotton and linen rags. The excellent state 
of preservation of this copy of The Reveille, which is the prop- 
erty of Walter Scott Brown, attests as to the good quality of 
paper used in those early days. 



291 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

The Reveille was published once a week. The subscription 
price was $2 per annum, "half yearly in advance." "Compa- 
nies of thirteen or more who receive their papers at the office 
and pay weekly shall have them at a reduced price. Postrid- 
ers supplied on reasonable terms by giving security. No 
paper discontinued until arrearages are paid. For inserting 
advertisements the price will be six cents per line for the first 
insertion and two cents per line for every additional insertion." 

Readers of Pleasant Valley will recall that Wm. Ray was 
editor of The Reveille. At this time it will doubtless interest 
many to know that Luther Marsh was printer of The 
Reveille from its start to his death, March 9, 1816. Luther 
Marsh was son of Elias Marsh and was born at Oakham, Mass. 
Luther Marsh married Laury Frisbee, daughter of Simeon 
Frisbee, at Elizabethtown, the ceremony being performed by 
Rev. C. C. Grays. Their only child was Jerome Marsh. Luther 
Marsh was buried in the old cemetery and according to his 
tombstone record was in his 30th year at the time of his 
death. 

Near the grave of Luther Marsh is that of Elisha Frisbee 
who died Oct. 12, 1809. Elisha Frisbee, it will be recalled, 
was the father of Simeon Frisbee, and it may well be added 
here that Elisha Frisbee was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War, having been born at Branford, Conn., May 22, 1740. 

Simeon Frisbee married Lucy Reynolds. Their children 
were as follows : 

Harriet, born March U, 1797, Jay, N. Y., died Feb. 11, 1825, 
Fredonia, N. Y. 

Laury, born June 10, 1799, Jay, N. Y., died March 31, 1851, 
Fremont, 111. 

Henry Clinton, born March 27, 1801, Elizabethtown, N. Y., 
died Nov. 9, 1873, Fredonia, N. Y. 



mSTOIlY OF ELlZAfiETHTOWN 202 

Levi, born Dec. 2, 1802, Elizabethtowu, N. Y., died Jan. 6, 
1812, Elizabethtown, N. Y. 

Myron, born Aug. 9, 1804, Elizabethtown, N. Y., died Oct. 
19, 1870, Des Moines, la. 

Lucy, bora Aug;. 27, 1806, Elizabethtown, N. Y., died Jan. 
14, 1886, Chicago, 111. 

Sidney S., born March 12, 1808, Elizabethtown, N. Y., died 
Jan. 25, 1826, Westport, N. Y. 

Simeon Frisbee moved to Fredonia, N. Y., in 1816 and died 
a few months afterwards. 

Henry Clinton Frisbee became a very successful man. He 
was editor and proprietor of the Fredonia Censor, the leading 
Kepublican paper of Northern Chautauqua, was a director of 
the First National Bank, a Deacon in the Presbyterian Church 
and Member of the New York Legislature in 1844-5. 

Another early settler "up west" was James Graves. "Uncle 
Jimmie,*' as he was locally and familiarly known, lived where A, 
B. Scripture now resides. He had a large family of children « 
At least two of his sons, John and William Plummer, went into 
the ministry. Rev. John Graves died a few years since near 
Saratoga, N. Y., being over 90 years of age. William Plum- 
mer Graves who was born in November, 1819, taught school in 
the old brick school house in 1842 and went into the ministry 
shortly afterwards. Last year he visited Elizabethtown, com^ 
ing here from California. 

Ashley Pond married Lucinda Rawson of Schroon, in Sep- 
tember, 1814, and shortly afterwards took up his residence in 
Elizabethtown, which continued to be his home for 13 busy 
years. Ashley Pond's children were Safford, Alembert, Cor- 
delia, Byron and Washington Irving, the latter being the only 
one now living. 

Nathan Perry, a cousin of Oliver Hazard Perry, the Lake 
Erie naval hero, located on what is now "Durand Farm" as 



293 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

early as 1814, coming to Elizabethtown from the town of Lewis. 
Nathan Perry's wife was Rebecca Brown and they originally 
came from the Wilton and New Ipswich, N. H., regions. Their 
children were : 

Rebecca, who married Silas M. Taylor. 

Nathan, who married Sarah Post. 

Abigail, who married Milo Durand. 

Abijah, who married Eliza Kellogg. 

Sarah Hill, who married Hiram Calkin. 

John, who married Amy Kellogg. 

Daniel Duke Tompkins, who married Soloma Bur lick. 

Achsa, who died in infancy. 

Nancy Steele, who married Robert P. Shan drew. 

Oliver Hazard, who married Mary J. McCloud. 

Achsa Maria, who married Norman N. Person. 

Josiah, who died young. 

Up to this time no list of good old Dr. Asa Post's children 
has been given. He married Mary Holcomb and their chil- 
dren were Lucia, who married Frederick Haasz ; Jonathan, 
who married Clarissa Sheldon ; Polly, who married Oliver 
Abel ; Lewis, who became a doctor ; Sarah, who married 
Nathan Perry ; Martha, who married a man named Gibson ; 
Eunice, who became the first wife of Jason Pangborn ; Me- 
lissa, who married Salem Denton ; Asa, who married Calneh 
Ames, daughter of Alfred Ames. 

Setting Off of "Westport. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

AN ACT for di\ading Elizabethtown, in the County of Essex. 

Passed March 24, 1815. 
I. Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York, 
represented in Senate and Assembly, That from and after the 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 294 

first Monday of April next, all that part of Elizabathtown, in 
the county of Essex, bounded as follows, to-wit : Beginning on 
the north line of the said Elizabethtown at the mouth of the 
Black river ; thence up the said river as it winds and turns on 
the east shore of said river, until in intersects the south line 
of Morgan's patent; thence due south to the north line of 
Moriah ; thence easterly on said line of Moriah to the ore bed 
wharf ; thence east to the east line of this State ; thence north- 
erly on the east line of this State to the south-east corner of 
Essex ; thence west on the south line of Essex to the place of 
beginning be, and hereby is erected into a separate town, by 
the name of Westport, and that the first town meeting be held 
at the dwelling house now occupied by Charles Hatch, in said 
town, 

II. Be it further enacted, that all the remaining part of 
Elizabethtown shall be and remain a separate town by the 
name of Elizabethtown and that the next town meeting shall 
be held at the dwelling house now occupied by Norman Newell 
and son in said town. 

III. And be it further enacted. That as soon as may be 
after the first Tuesday in April next, the supervisors and over- 
seers of the poor of the said towns of Elizabethtown and West- 
port, on notice first being given by the supervisors of said 
towns for that purpose, shall meet together and divide the 
money and poor belonging to the town of Elizabethtown pre- 
vious, agreeable to the last tax list, and that each of the said 
towns shall forever thereafter respectfully maintain their own 
poor. 

The above is copied from page 100 of the bound volume of 
the Session Laws of 1814-15. The late Judge Charles Hatch, 
who built the old brick mansion in 1825 which still stands in 
the village of Westport, who was noted for cunning and shrewd- 



296 mSTORY OF ELlZABfiT'H^rOWN 

ness, is credited with having drafted the above copied IsLWf 
making the line between Elizabethtown and Westport follow 
the east bank of the Black River so that the former town would 
be obliged to build all the bridges across that stream. How- 
ever, in due time the matter was tested. It came about that a 
new bridge was needed across the Black River near the Na- 
thaniel Pierson place just above Meigsville proper, there being 
long and somewhat expensive "approaches" to construct each 
side of the stream. The late Jacob Lobdell, son of Captain 
John Lobdell of Battle of Plattsburgh fame, was Highway 
Commissioner in Elizabethtown, the late Marcus Storrs hold- 
ing that office in the town of Westport. Action was commenced 
in March, 1870, to compel the town of Westport to stand half 
the expense of constructing the bridge, approaches, etc. Rich- 
ard L. Hand acted as counsel for Elizabethtown, Waldo, Tobey 
& Grover acting in behalf of Westport. The matter in dispute 
was finally referred to Peter S. Palmer, the late well-known 
Plattsburgh lawyer and historian. He decided, in accordance 
with the general statute applying to such cases, that the towns 
of Elizabethtown and Westport were jointly and equally liable 
to the expenses incident to bridge construction, etc., along the 
Black River town line. Reference to page 50 of the pamphlet 
of proceedings of the Board of Supervisors for the year 1874 
shows that a judgment for $300 was paid by Westport. 

From 1815 to 1817, inclusive, Asa Post served as Elizabeth- 
town's Supervisor. The first Supervisor of the town of West- 
port was Enos Loveland. 

Elizabethtown's Inspectors in 1815 were Asa Post, Jacob 
Southwell, Azel Abel, John Calkin. 

In 1815 Captain John Lobdell lived on the farm now owned 
by Patrick Boyle in the town of Westport. In fact on that 
highland farm all Captain John Lobdell's children were born. 
In the year 1815 Captain John Lobdell served as an Inspector 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 296 

ID Westport, his brother Bouton being Clerk of the newly 
formed township. 

In 1816 Elizabethtown's Inspectors were Asa Post, Manoah 
Miller, Jacob Southwell, Jon. Steele, Azel Abel. 

The year 1816 is still referred to as "the coldest on record." 
The year has been spoken of as "eighteen hundred and starved 
to death." It is said that every month in the year furnished 
snow or frost. It was a season phenomenally cold and dry, 
with an almost universal failure of crops. Want, and even 
starvation, stared many of our pioneers in the face. The late 
Solomon Washington Osgood, a man of undoubted probity, 
used to relate an experience he had that summer. He was 
then a boy eight years old attending school in the brick 
school house which stood just back of where the large, com- 
manding Charles N. Williams block now stands. Just when 
the brick school house was erected no one now living knows. 
Suffice to say that school was being kept there during the cold 
summer of 1816, Ashley Pond, father of the late Judge Byron 
Pond, being the teacher in that one story brick structure, the 
scene of so many romantic tales. Mr. Osgood used to say 
that his grandmother, Mrs. Phebe Fisher, 2d wife of Josiah 
Fisher, would stop him on his way home from school and ask 
him if he didn't want a cold potato, whereupon he would say 
"no, Mrs. Stow has just given me a piece of pie." The 
Fishers lived just below (east) of the home of Gardner Stow, 
the old house which stood just east of the present main en- 
trance to Eichard L. Hand's brick residence. And by the way 
this report, undoubtedly correct, fixes a date when two more 
families were located here. How long the Fisher and Stow 
families had been here I am unable to state. Phebe Hall, 2d 
wife of Josiah Fisher, was the mother of Rhoda Hall, the wife 
of David Osgood. Josiah Fisher died on the "Fisher farm," 



297 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

so-called, in the village of Elizabethtown April 1, 1844. His 
wife Pliebe died Feb. 18, 1844. 

It might be stated here that a daughter of Josiah Fisher 
and Phebe Hall, Phebe Fisher by name, became the wife of 
Ezra Carter Gross. 

It might also be stated that a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
Gardner Stow, Charlotte Evelina, by name, became the first 
wife of Dr. Sewall Sylvester Cutting, who was for 10 years 
editor of the New York Recorder, a religious paper. The given 
name of Gardner Stow's wife was Evelina and she died young, 
being buried in the old cemetery. Charlotte Evelina Cutting 
was buried in Riverside cemetery. 

During the cold summer of 1816 when crops did not materi- 
alize to any considerable extent the manufacture of potash 
proved of considerable importance to our struggling, suffering 
people. In those days the refuse wood from our forests and 
in many instances valuable timber was burned to make ashes, 
from which an alkali, a substance neutralizing acids, was ob- 
tained. At least two buildings were erected and used for the 
manufacture of potash within the limits of Elizabethtown. One 
of these buildings, a primitive log structure, was located in 
Deep Hollow, just south of Elizabethtown village. This log 
building stood a few feet east of a "bar way" seen on the east 
side of the highway in Deep Hollow to-day. The building fell 
into disuse about the year 1830 and was taken down by the 
late Oliver Abel, Sr., shortly afterwards. The other building 
used in connection with the manufacture of potash stood a 
few rods back of the brick residence of Charles H. Noble on 
Water Street in the village of Elizabethtown. There are those 
living in Elizabethtown who remember when both these man- 
ufactories were in operation. Potash found a ready market 
in Vermont and other localities and was much easier trans- 
ported than either logs or lumber. Potash as a source of rev- 




LEVI DeWITT BROWN, 
Father of the Author of Pleasant Valley. 



MtSTORY OF fiLlZABETHTOWK ^00 

enUe ^as of inestimable value to Elizabethtown dwellers in 
1816, as it enabled them to turn off a product, regardless of 
climatic conditions, in exchange for foodstuffs from more 
favored localities, and for kept over produce, etc. 

Following are the names constituting Elizabethtown's jury 
list in 1817 : Stephen Ashley, Azel Abel, Joseph Blake, Chester 
Bristol, Nathan Betts, David Brainard, Ashbel Brownson, Jr., 
John Blake, Lucius Bishop, Elijah Calkin, Case Cummins, 
Calvin Calkin, Isaac Calkin, John Calkin, Joseph Durand, 
John Daniels, Simeon Durand (son of Joseph) Nathan Esta- 
brook, Anson Finney, Frederick Haasz, Eben. Hanchett, Ithai 
Judd, Elijah Kellogg, William Kellogg, John Knox, Rowland 
Kellogg, Orson Kellogg, Sylvanus Lobdell, Philip Millerj 
Moses Noble, Ezra Nichols, Pollaus A. Newell, David Osgood, 
Ira Phelps, Balph Phelps, Aaron B. Palmer, Azor Rusco, 
Amos Bice, Truman Rice, Jonathan Steele, Zachariah Straight, 
John Smith, 2d, Jacob Southwell, Gardner Simonds, Erastus 
Simonds, Alexander Trimble. 

Alexander Trimble, the last named man eligible for jury 
duty here in 1817, operated for a time on the "Tannery Brook," 
so-called, being succeeded by Gen. Ransom Noble and sons 
there. 

In the winter of 1817 Wm. Ray must have been a resident 
of Onondaga, C. H., according to the following letter which we 
print, as it gives us the last authentic information concerning 
Slizabethtown's pioneer editor : 

Onondaga, C. H., February 10, 1817. 
Sir : When I take a retrospect of your unmerited kindness 
toward me and reflect that we must shortly be deprived of 
your services as Chief Magistrate of this State, which your 
mild administration has so long blessed, I cannot but feel the 
most poignant regret at the separation which necessarily must 



301 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

follow your election to the second oflBce in the Union ; and I 
feel it a duty not to be dispensed with to tender you my grate- 
ful acknowledgements and my warmest wishes for your tem- 
poral and eternal felicity. As to myself nothing but the most 
gloomy prospects open before me in this life but thanks to a 
merciful God I can now look beyond the grave with hope and 
confidence. My failings, my errors, my offences against 
heaven have been great and manifold, but I trust that they 
have found forgiveness through the merits of a Redeemer, and 
I am fully determined that my future life shall be dedicated to 
his glory. 

Whatever ingratitude I have been guilty of towards your Ex- 
cellency, may I have the consideration to know will be forgiven. 
My situation, my distresses, my insupportable poverty have 
heretofore worked my mind almost into distraction and plunged 
me into vices and follies which my soul naturally abhorred. 
In politics, warmly attached to the Republican cause and ve- 
hemently (perhaps too much so) opposed to every thing which 
looked to me like encroachments on the rights of that cause, I 
have created to myself many enemies and some among those 
who style themselves Republicans. It cannot have escaped 
your notice. Sir, that aristocratical combinations are formed 
and forming in almost every County in the State, determined 
to monopolize all the offices in the gift of the people and suffer 
me to predict that if these things are permitted much longer 
they will surely bring death to the Republican party. There 
is such a squad in this County consisting of the Earlls and 
their connections, men of no talents who are positively as intol- 
erant and oppressive toward Republicans who claim any inde- 
pendence or any rights as even the federalists of '98. These 
men I have not bowed to, and of course am persecuted by them. 
I tell you these things as sincere and weighty truths because I 
consider them as spring mines to Republicanism. I mention 



MiSTORY OF ELlZABETHTOWN 302 

tli&tia too on another account. My name may possibly be 
mentioned to the Council as Judge of Common Pleas, and if 
so will probably be opposed by Judge Webb, who 1 am sorry 
to say is too much under the infiuence of this Junto. 

Wishing your Excellency every joy in your new career of 
glory, and all the happiness and prosperity compatible with 
human nature, its frailties and vicissitudes, 
I remain. Sir, 
"Tour Excellency's Humble and obedient Servant, 

WM. EAY. 
His Excellency, 

Governor Tompkins. 

Inasmuch as Luther Marsh, the printer, died in 1816, and 
as Wm. Ray, the editor, had moved away from Elizabethtown 
before February 10, 1817, it is probable that the little four 
page paper, The Reveille, ceased to make its weekly calls 
during the cold season. What a brief and sad existence Essex 
County's pioneer newspaper must have had, founded in 1812 
and expiring during the cold season, only four years later. 
During its early infancy Wm. Bay, its editor, was struggling 
with an intensity of vigor and determination worthy of any 
cause to have Simeon Prisbee removed from the ofl&ce of Essex 
County Clerk to the end that he (Ray) might enjoy the plum^ 
while Luther Marsh, Simeon Frisbee's son-in-law, was its 
printer and of course supported interests in another direction. 
Verily, it was "a house divided against itself." In 
1816 Luther Marsh went to his grave, Simeon Frisbee 
moved to Chautauqua Co., N. Y., in 1816 and died at Fredonia 
a few months afterwards and, in all human probability, poor, 
disappointed Wm. Ray had left these parts and The Reveille 
had drawn its expiring breath ere the cold year 1816 had all 
passed into history. Truly, what a melancholy succession of 



303 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

events cluster about the brief existence of Elizabeth town's 
first newspaper. 

In the year 1817 Jeremiah Stone and Vashti Chase, his wife, 
arrived in Elizabethtown, having come from Worcester County, 
Mass. Vashti Chase was a descendant of Aquila Chase, the old 
sailor who came over from England, settling in Newbury, at 
the mouth of the Merrimac River, in 1646. It is recorded that 
Aquila Chase was granted four acres of land in Newbury "for 
a house-lott and six acres of upland for a planting lott," etc., 
"on condition that he do goe to sea and do service in the toivne^ 
with a boate for four years." Aquila Chase went to sea and 
it is recorded that after a certain long voyage he returned to 
his Newbury home, arriving on Sunday morning. Shortly 
after his arrival home that Sunday morning, as people were 
going to or from church, the sailor was observed in his garden 
picking green peas. This was too much for the Puritanical 
New England observers of the Sabbath breaking and they re- 
ported the sailor to the authorities, whereupon Aquila Chase 
and wife and David Wheeler, brother of Aquila Chase's wife, 
were taken into Court. For the offence the Court ordered 
them to be admonished and their fines remitted. 

Jeremiah Stone was a gunsmith and for many years was 
Curator of the State Arsenal here, looking after the guns, keep- 
ing them cleaned and repaired, ready for action in case of need. 

In the year 1818 Jeremiah Stone built the house now known 
as the Judge Robert S. Hale house, to which additions have 
since been made. 

Mr. Stone's shop stood directly across the Little Bo- 
quet from where the Library building is located. Captain 
Stone, as he was locally known on account of his command 
over the arsenal, built a dam across the Little Boquet near 
where the present Hale foot-bridge is located. From the pond 
formed he built a fliume which extended out into the yard four 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 304 

■or five rods and then turned at a right angle and went east sev- 
eral rods. The upper portion of the flume was covered but it 
was left open just above the shop. This flume furnished the 
power to run the trip-hammer, etc. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stone had two sons, both of whom died young. 
The first of the two — Jeremiah — died Sept. 13, 1823, in his 2d 
year and the other one — Nehemiah — was drowned in the flume 
Just above his father's shop on the 19th day of July, 1827, their 
bodies being buried in the old cemetery. The daughter of Mr. 
and Mrs. Stone (Lovina Sibley Stone) married Robert Safford 
Hale. 

The Reveille was succeeded by the Essex Patriot, conducted 
by Oliver and Lewis Person, father and son, the office being 
on Water Street. 

Elizabethtown's Inspectors in 1817 were Asa Post, Jon. 
Steele, Azel Abel, Jacob Southwell. 

In 1818 Elizabethtown's Supervisor was Ezra C. Gross, the 
Inspectors being Ezra C Gross, Azel Abel and N. Nicholson. 

In the month of July, 1818, there was a sensation in Eliz- 
abethtown village. The excitement was caused by the raid 
officials made on the counterfeit money making establishment 
then in operation on the Plain. Isaac Hogle and a man named 
Curtis, both located at the inn then kept by Miss Lucy Wil- 
lard, where Deer's Head Inn now stands, were prominent in 
the deal. It seems that Miss Lucy Willard fell under suspi- 
cion, perhaps for harboring Hogle and Curtis. At any rate 
papers were placed in the hands of the late Nathan Perry, Sr., 
for the arrest of Lucy Willard. However, those papers were 
never served. As Mr. Perry went in at the front of the house 
Lucy Willard went out of a back door and up the Boquet 
Valley to the farm of Azel Abel. Arriving at Azel Abel's 
house, she went in and remained there secreted until nightfall. 
This was July 27, 1818. The next day, July 28, 1818, she 



36'5 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWlf;f 

married Ira Marks and no papers were served upon hei 
Isaac Hogle, however, was arrested and put in jail for having 
in his possession and attempting to pass counterfeit money. 
It is recorded that he tried to break goal and was indicted 
therefor, as well as for attempting to pass counterfeit money. 

Ira Marks, born June 5, 1791, was the youngest sou of Isaac 
Marks and Betsey Colins, his wife. Eliona Marks, an elder 
brother of Ira, was born April 16, 1787. The Marks boys moved 
to Elizabethtown from Vergennes, Vt. Eliona Marks was 
the father of the late Abiel Marks and Henry Marks, both of 
whom were reared in Elizabethtown, went to New York City 
and became wealthy, enabling them to return to the scenes of 
their boyhood and pass the summer season as guests. Sunny 
Lawn, the fine country home adjoining the Deer's Head Inn 
property, is owned by Mrs. Mary B. Marks, widow of Henry 
Marks. 

Eliona Marks died February 28, 1864, in the 77th year of 
his age. Ira Marks died August 31, 1865, in his 75th year. 
Abiel Marks and Henry Marks died a few years ago and the 
mortal remains of all were buried in Riverside cemetery. 

Valley Lodge, No. 314, the first Masonic Lodge ever organ- 
ized in Elizabethtown, received a charter September 6, 1818, 
on the recommendation of Essex Lodge, No. 162, signed by H.^ 
H. Ross as W. M. Its first officers were Ezra Carter Gross, 
W. M., Luman Wadhams, S. W., John Barney, J. W., and its 
other members were Theo. Ross, Jacob Day, Norman Newell, 
Augustus Noble, Hannibal C. Holden, Appleton Woodruflf and 
Norman Nicholson. The meetings were held the second 
Mondaj' of the month. The place of meeting was in the second 
story of the Ira Marks' red store, which stood just below the 
end of the bridge, near where the driveway to the Judge Rob- 
ert S. Hale house leaves Maple Street. In 1819, Valley Lodge 
reported 26 members with William Livingston as Master. 



HISTORY OP ELIZABETHTOWN 306 

After the death of Morgan a book agent appeared one night in 
the Ira Marks' store. He got out his Morgan books and 
talked against Masonry. John Archibald, the local wag, was 
present, as were several others. Suddenly all the lights in 
the store went out and when more light was furnished the 
book agent was minus his books. It is said that John "Arch." 
did some quick sleight of hand work during that moment of 
darkness. In the freshet of 1830 the Ira Marks' store went 
down stream, Masonic property and all. 

In 1819 Ezra Carter Gross went to Congress from Elizabeth- 
town and served two terms, having previously served two 
years — from March, 1815, to March, 1819 — as Surrogate of 
Essex County. 

Elizabethtown's Supervisor from 1819 to 1823, inclusive, was 
Alexander Morse. 

The Inspectors for 1819 were Alexander Morse, N. Nichol- 
son, Jacob Southwell, John Calkin, Pollaus A. Newell. 

It was during the year 1819 that Edmund F. Williams ar- 
rived in Elizabethtown. He was then a young fellow only 18 
years of age, having been born in Bristol, Eng., in 1801. He 
went to work for Daniel Ross and eventually married Sarah 
Ann Ross, daughter of Theodorus Ross. By this union a large 
family of children was born as follows : Edmund, Charles, 
Frank, John Van Rensselaer, Elizabeth, Thomas H. and Ross. 
E. F. Williams went into the militia and rose to be Colonel by 
which title he was universally known, far and near. 

March 2, 1819, Ashley Pond was appointed Surrogate of 
Essex County, which office he held till March 3, 1821. 

In 1820 Elizabethtown's Inspectors were Alexander Morse, 
N. Nicholson, David Brainard, John Calkin, Pollaus A. Newell. 

In 1821 Elizabethtown's Inspectors were Alexander Morse, 
Leander J. Lockwood, John Calkin, Azel Abel and Jacob 
Southwell. 



Sdy illSTORY OF ELIiiAfiEi'rii'fOWN 

March 3, 1821, Captain John Calkin of Battle of Plattsburgfe 
fame, was appointed Surrogate of Essex County, which office 
he held continuously till April 15, 1831. Captain John Calkin, 
it will be recalled, was a farmer and lived all these years on a 
farm up on the slope of Mt. Hurricane, driving down in the 
morning and back home at night. 

In 1821 Ashley Pond was appointed Essex County Clerks 
He was elected to the same office under the constitution of 
1821 and held it continuously till his death in September, 1827. 
During his administration as Essex County Clerk the office 
was in a small building vv^hich stood on the east side of what 
is now Maple Street, near where the Lamson house stands to- 
day. The late Judge Byron Pond remembered the location 
of the building well and often pointed it out to the writer. 

The First Congregational Church in Elizabethtown, com-' 
posed of members from the Church in Lewis, and some others, 
was organized March 25, 1821, by the Rev. Cyrus Comstock^ 
missionary. It consisted of 32 members. 

At its organization Timothy Brainard and Joseph Blake 
were chosen deacons. Deacon Brainard died Nov. 17, 1824* 
Deacon Blake died Jan. 12, 1860. 

During the first year Father Comstock, as he was reveren-* 
tially called, had the general oversight of the church and min- 
istered from time to time. 

Elizabethtown's Inspectors for the year 1822 were Alexander 
Morse, Azel Abel and John Calkin. 

Immigration increased after the close of the War of 1812.. 
Commerce had been helped instead of hindered by the neces- 
sities of that war and the lumber business thrived throughout 
this section from 1815 to 1830. Shortly after the close of the 
War of 1812 "the new court house road," practically the pres- 
ent stage route from Elizabethtown to Westport, was opened 
across the Black. River, that swampy place being filled in, etc. 




LOVINA KNEELAND BROWN, 
Mother of the Author of Pleasant Valley. 



HlfeTORY OF ELiZABETHTOWN 310 

Vp to this time the regular route from Elizabeth town to Lake 
Champlain was by way of the hamlet now known as Meigs- 
ville. 

Speaking of the lumber business along Lake Champlain 
during this period Robinson says : "The great pines, that fifty 
years before had been reserved for the masting of his Majes- 
ty's navy, were felled now by hardy yoemen who owed allegi- 
ance to no earthly king, and, gathered into enormous rafts, 
voyaged slowly down the lake, impelled by sail and sweep. 
They bore as their burden barrels of potash that had been 
condensed from the ashes of their slain brethren." Bales of 
furs went often along this route and when the raftsmen came 
back by boat they brought salt and manufactured goods, often 
of European make. 

For black salts and potash early local merchants usually 
paid one-half cash and the balance in goods. 

In the month of October, 1822, occurred the death and 
funeral of General Daniel Wright, the latter being conducted 
with military honors, Brigadier General Luman Wadhams of 
the 40th Brigade heading the imposing procession. 

Reference to the old Elizabethtown Baptist Church records 
shows that on Saturday, April 5, 1823i, church meeting was 
held according to appointment, at which time it was "Voted 
that the Clerk be requested to leave the Ch'h Records with 
Sister Hatch so long as Ch'h meetings are held at her house.'* 
On Saturday, May 3, 1823, church meeting was held at "the 
Brick School House" and as the Court House had just been 
destroyed by fire this famous educational institution of that 
early day continued for sometime to be the place of meeting 
for the Baptist people. In May, 1823, Asa Farnsworth, whose 
wife was Abigail Brown, was elected Deacon of the church ; 
he and Amos Smith were ordained to the Deacon's office Oct. 
9, 1824. In August, 1824, Paul Richards was licensed to 



311 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

preach. Orson Kellogg's license was renewed the same date. 

Elizabethtown's Supervisor in 1823 and 1824 was Ezra Car- 
ter Gross. It would seem that his being Congressman did not 
put him above serving his townspeople at home. 

The Court House, one story, was built of brick soon after 
its destruction by fire in 1823. The brick used were made 
from clay taken out of the bank just below what has since 
been known as the Valley Forge settlement. 

Alanson Mitchell served as Supervisor of Elizabethtown in 
1825 and 1826. He was an elder brother of Wm. N. Mitchell and 
kept a store where the Post Office block now stands in Elizabeth- 
town village. He also served as Postmaster, having the Post 
Office in one part of his store. In 1826 Alanson Mitchell and 
Captain John Lobdell had charge of the men who cut out and 
built the road through what is now the town of North Elba 
and on to Hopkinton. Squier Lee, then 19 years of age, 
helped build this road. 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 312 



Elaabelhtown From 1825 to the Civil War. 

In 1825 Basil Bishop built his famous cold blast forge at 
Split Eock Falls on the Boquet River. Dr. Midas E. Bishop, 
a nephew of Basil Bishop, thus describes this forge : "The air 
from the bellows did not pass through iron pipes to be heated 
before it went into the fire, consequently nothing but charcoal 
from hard wood could be used and it took six hours to make 
a loop weighing 150 pounds. Loop was the name for the mass 
of iron accumulated in making wrought iron from ore. The 
ore that uncle used was dug on the Kibbie farm now owned by 
Stephen Pitkin, from a bed at the foot of Iron Mountain west 
of the old Horatio Deming farm and from a bed up Roaring 
Brook nearly opposite the bridge that crosses the brook to 
Uncle Jonathan Post's saw-mill. Ore was also used from Mr. 
Noble's bed on the Pete lot. But none of the ores in the valley 
would make good bar iron because it was lacking in quartz 
and when the bars were hammered at a red heat they cracked 
and it was called "red shear," but properly red sear. There 
was no way of overcoming the difficulty except to mix the val- 
ley ores with lean ores from Fisher Hill and the Sanford bed 
at Mineville. The iron was all hammered into bars about four 
inches wide and three quarters of an inch thick. Blacksmiths 
used to split them to make horseshoes. Uncle's forge had a 
water blast. I examined it as far as I could but still could 
not understand how falling water could make wind. I climbed 



313 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

up by the flume above the forge. The forge was not run- 
ning then and I opened the gate and let on the water so I 
could see how it worked. The water ran in a box about a foot 
square about the forge building and then straight down nearly 
40 feet into the centre of a boxed up place 10 or 15 feet square 
where I was told the water fell upon a table and made the 
blast which was perfectly steady and furnished wind enough 
for two fires.^ The wheel for the hammer was about 6 feet in 
diameter and there was a long chute outside of the forge set 
at 45 degrees that conducted the water to the wheel which ran 
very fast for a hammer wheel. It ran almost like a trip-ham- 
mer and was noisy. I often heard it at home (New Russia) on 
still nights. It was a breast wheel, plainly made, two plank 
disks with planks set in the edges and the water struck on the 
underside. An overshot wheel has cup shaped buckets and 
necessarily must run slow so as to give time for the buckets to 
empty. An undershot wheel is made the same way and the 
water is not conducted over the wheel." 

In 1825 Samuel Williams was engaged in the manufacture of 
hats in Elizabethtowu, having come from the town of Jay. He 
married Eunice Stevens of Lewis and lived on Water Street, 
having his hat manufactory in one part of his house. In those 
days be took hats by the wagon load to Albany, N. Y. The 
main part of the Samuel Williams house was later moved up 
Water Street and now constitutes the upright part of E. Tru- 
deau's dwelling house. 

The children of Samuel and Eunice Williams were Jane, 
Charles Noble, Eunice, Emily, Sarah, Julia and Steptoe Catlin. 

Jane Williams married Cyrus Kellogg. Both died many 
years ago. 

Charles Noble Williams married Mary Abel and became one 

1 Dr. Bisbop informs me that he once found ii natural water blast on the north branch of 
the Boquet River, one "not boxed in." 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 314 

of the most widely known and most successful business men 
Elizabethtown ever had. He served as Clerk of the Essex 
County Board of Supervisors and was elected County Treas- 
urer of Essex County on the ticket with Abraham Lincoln in 
November, 1860, and held the oflSce continuously for twelve 
years, four three year terms, after wbich he served as Post- 
master of Elizabethtown about 12 years. From 1883 to his 
death in the spring of 1905 he conducted the largest and best 
equipped drug store in Essex County. During his lifetime he 
was an extensive mill owner and had put up over 60 buildings 
within the present township of Elizabethtown. He is survived 
by a widow and two daughters, Jennie M. and Clara Williams. 

Eunice and Julia Williams both died young. 

Emily Williams married Leander Abel, who died in Jan- 
uary, 1903. 

Sarah Williams married Charles H. Nichols of Lewis. 

Steptoe Catlin Williams married Josephine Glidden of Eliz- 
abethtown and they live on the old Deacon Harry Glidden 
homestead. 

Before 1825 General Ransom Noble and sons had become 
interested in Elizabethtown, having purchased land and erected 
buildings here. They erected the brick store,(still known as the 
Noble store)a harness-shop,a shoe-shop the tannery and the fine 
brick house occupied by Charles Henry Noble and family to-day. 
During the year 1825 Alexander MacDougal, the noted Scotch 
tanner, arrived in Elizabethtown, having previously worked 
for Gen. Noble in Essex. He said Gen. Noble sent him out 
here to "look after the boys," meaning Gen. Noble's sons. 
However, he went to work in the Noble tannery and was em- 
ployed there for many years. Several of his sons worked in 
the tannery, one of them, Alexander, Jr., becoming a good tan- 
ner. The Nobles did an extensive business, employing a large 
number of men. The Noble tannery and harness-shop were 



315 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

landmarks here for many years and numerous incidents are said 
to have occurred in and around those places. 

The brick used in the construction of the Noble store were 
made on the same spot where the late Timothy Seckington 
made the last brick ever manufactured in Elizabeth town. 
Asahel Root made the brick used in the construction of the 
Noble store. It was when these brick were being made that 
the late William Whitman Root, then a boy in his teens, car- 
ried his father's dinner down to the brick kiln and thus began 
working in the interest of the Nobles. It is said that, first and 
last, William Whitman Root worked for the Nobles more than 
50 years. 

In the Noble harness and shoe-shop worked two men, Robert 
Linton and Robert Witherspoon,who were special adepts. They 
were of Scotch-Irish descent, sandy complexioned, and knew 
the shoe-making business from a to z, having been regimental 
shoe-makers in the British army before coming to Elizabeth- 
town. Robert Linton was the older man and lived on Water 
Street, his place being still referred to as the Linton house. 
Witherspoon accumulated some property and moved from 
Elizabethtown to Jay. Thomas Jefferson Otis and John Stod- 
dard were also employed in the Noble harness and shoe-shop, 
as were Ezra Turner, Felix LaDue, Joshua D. Richards, E. P. 
Adams, Titus Smith, and a Frenchman with a wooden leg, 
whose name no one seems to recall. Then too there were 
John Turner, Alex. Turner and Jonas Blood, who was a sad- 
dler by trade, Jonas Blood is said to have been a remarka- 
ble man in many ways and if it had not been for strong drink J 
would have made his mark in the world. 

Alanson Wilder, afterwards Sheriff of Essex County, was 
foreman of the Noble shoe-shop. 

The community depended entirely in those days upon the i 
Noble shoe-shop for boots and shoes. And it may well be 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETH TOWN 316 

added here that all the leather manufactured in the Noble tan- 
nery was made up into boots, shoes and harness by the Noble 
workmen and that the business, large though it was, conducted 
hereinElizabethtown village, was only an adjunct of the larger 
iron and lumber business carried on at the Kingdom, Lewis 
and Essex. 

Lucius Bishop built his hotel at New Russia in 1826. The 
main part 36 by 26, two stories high, had a ball room the 
whole length. No country tavern was considered complete 
without a ball room those days. This wayside inn was for 
several years after its erection the only painted building be- 
tween Split Rock Falls and Elizabethtown village. 

Leander J. Lockwood served as Elizabethtown's Supervisor 
during 1827 and 1828. 

JohnSanderSjSr., moved into the Boquet Valley in 1827. He 
was born in New Hampshire in 1784 and married Polly Howe, 
soon after which he emigrated to what is now Lewis, settling 
on the farm to-day occupied by James Cross. To John and 
Polly Sanders were born twelve children, only seven of whom 
lived to maturity. The oldest, Louisa, married Luke Rice 
while the family yet lived in North Lewis. She died in the 
early 4:0s on the farm where B. F. Gilligan now lives. Polly, a 
young lady of 18 or 20 years, died soon after the family moved 
into the Boquet Valley. Sally married Alexander Roberts, 
father of John Sanders Roberts. She died at the home of 
the latter in the village of Elizabethtown in the 80s. Lovina mar- 
ried Stewart W. Smith about 1840 and lived and died in South 
Valley. Elmira, born in Lewis, April 21, 1817, married Rus- 
sel Abel Finney in November, 1842, and lived on Simonds 
Hill till April, 1868, when they moved to Postville, la., where 
he died in May, 1876. She is still living, residing with her 
son Solon Burroughs Finney at Fayette, la. Rozilla, born in 
Lewis in 1819, married Darius Wyman about 1847 and settled 



3i7 UlSTORt- OF ELIZABETEtTOWM 

at Split Kock. Mr. and Mrs. Wymau moved to Ohio in 1S5'5»/ 
settling on a farm near Cleveland, where he died in the 90s. 
She died only a few months ago. John H., born in Lewis in 
1823, married Julia A. Clark of Westport about 1846, moved 
to Iowa in 1857 and died at Postville in 1897, where his widow 
lives with her children. 

John and Polly Sanders lived some years in an old house on 
the east side of the Boquet River, on what is nov^7 known as 
the Scriver farm. After living a few years on the east side of 
the river Mr. Sanders built a spacious house on the west side 
of the stream, the house occupied for years by the Scrivers, 
This house was destroyed by fire October 9, 1889. 

John Sanders, Sr., was an upright, industrious man and was 
counted the most progressive farmer in the Boquet Valley, 
being exceptionally up-to-date. His buildings and fences 
were kept in good repair and things were picked up about the 
premises. He died in 1864, his remains being buried in the 
Boquet Valley cemetery. 

Deacon Levi Brown and family also came down here from 
Lewis in 1827. Deacon Brown at once became interested in a 
factory for the manufacture of axes, bush hooks, etc., which 
stood on the Barton Brook just about where the John Barton 
blacksmith-shop stands. Deacon Brown lived in a house 
which stood where Frank H. Durand now lives on Water Street. 

In 1827 Leonard Stow became Essex County Clerk, having 
the Clerk's Office at his house on Water Street. The records 
in the Essex County Clerk's Office furnish ample proof of this 
fact. Leonard Stow was a brother of Gardner Stow. 

A meeting of the Baptist Church was held April 10, 1828, 
the minutes of the meeting closing as follows : "Voted to have 
a special meeting a week from to-day at 1 o'clock at the Court 
House." On Thursday, April 27, 1828, the special meeting 
was held. The church met and began to "investigate the 




CHANCELLOR WALWORTH. 



HISTOP.Y OF ELIZABSl^iElTOWN 320 

pHuciples of the Institution of Masonary." Then and there 
bepran the agitation which led to the calling of a council — Feb- 
ruary 17, 1830, being the time of its meeting — to try to settle 
their difficulties. The final result, according to the Kev. H. 
Steelman's account, was the formation of a second church, 
which was fellowshipped by a council of brethren from the dif- 
ferent churches of the Association, January 8,1834. Elder Isaac 
Sawyer was Moderator of the council and Franklin Stone was 
Clerk. No records of the first church appear after February, 
1832 ; the second became the leading church and soon ab- 
sorbed the entire interest and assumed the name of the First 
Baptist Church of Elizabethtowu, N. Y. Captain John Calkin, 
then Surrogate of Eases County, was a bitter foe of Masonry 
and led the anti-Masonic fight. As a result of one Town Meet- 
ing, when the Masons had control, Captain John Calkin was, 
figuratively speaking, "run out of town." That is to say a 
new town line between Elizabethtowu and Jay was run and 
the head and front of the anti-Masonic fight and some of his 
sympathizing neighbors found themselves over in the town of 
Jay. This of course put Captain John to the trouble of going 
ovej' the mountain to Jay to vote but he said he was satisfied, 
as taxes were lower in Jay.i 

In the year 1828 General George Izard, he who had led an 
army of 4,000 strong through Elizabethtowu in the declining 
summer of 1814, went to his grave. To his credit be it said 
that he protested at the time against leaving Plattsburgh 
with his troops. 

During this year Eli Hull of Keene, veteran of the Revolu- 
tion and War of 1812, died, being buried near Hull's Falls on 
the Ausa-ble River, near where the sturdy military hero lived 
for over a quarter of a century. 

1 Dr. R. J. Roscoe informs me that Captain John Calkin said to him that his taxes were 
lower in Jay and therefore it mattered not il he was "run out of town." 



321 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

In 1828 Leander J. Lockwood of Elizabethtown became 
Sheriff of Essex County. 

In the fall of 1829 there came to Elizabethtown to reside a 
veteran Sea Captain, Jacob Allen, who came here with his 
family from Ticonderoga. He had come to Ticonderoga from 
Manchester-b5'-the-Sea, Mass. His idea in getting up among 
the mountains was that his children would not be so liable to 
follow the sea. And none did but some of his grandchildren 
are reported to have gone that way. Jacob Allen's wife was 
Lucy Gallup. They had 14 children, several dying in infancy. 
The sons who grew up were Alva, Enos Gallup, Aaron Hall 
and Isaac. The daughters who grew up were Rebecca, Eliza, 
Ruth and Susan T. 

Enos Gallup Allen, 2d son of Jacob Allen, invented the dial 
steam gauge and also a planer similar to the Woodward 
planer. He was in the secret service during the civil war, 
holding a Colonel's commission. 

Aaron Hall Allen went to Boston, Mass., and became a mil- 
lionaire. He died in Germany in 1889, his body being brought 
home for burial in Riverside cemetery. 

Rebecca Allen married Benjamin Severance and their son 
became one of the most noted Baptist clergymen of New Eng- 
land, dying a few years since in the very heyday of a promis- 
ing career. 

Eliza Allen married Royal Chittenden, son of Uri Chit- 
tenden who was buried in the old cemetery. These 
Chitteudens were of the Governor Chittenden famil}' of Ver- 
mont. Royal Chittenden became a manufacturer of earthen- 
ware, living in the old house on "Durand Farm," using the 
basement of that building for his manufactory. His clay he 
obtained from a bed a few rods beyond the old Durand house. 
Royal Chittenden used to send a man out on the road to sell 
his earthenware, such as pots, kettles, pans, etc. . Loyal Hall, 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 322 

a local wap^, used to go out occasionally and would invariably 
come back home under the influence of too much "good 
cheen" Mr. Chittenden would ask Hall how he got along and 
the good feeling salesman would answer : "Some I sold, some t 
broke, some I gave away and back after more." 

Royal Chittenden eventually went to California, where he 
is said to have accumulated considerable property. 

Ruth Allen married her cousin nameii Gallup. 

Susan T. Allen married Edgar Manly Marvin. Their 
children were George Fred, Edgar A., Walter M., Charles A., 
Lucy, Mary and Harris J. 

George Fred Marvin became a photographer. He lived at 
Keeseville the latter part of his life and died a few years ago. 
His widow and daughter still live in Keeseville. 

Edgar A. Marvin is married and lives in Detroit, Mich. 

Walter M. Marvin married Emma Young and lives in Eliz- 
abethtowu, being head of the business firm (furniture and un- 
dertaking) of W. M. Marvin & Son. The children of Walter 
and Emma Marvin are Fred A. Marvin, merchant, of Lewis, 
who married Bessie M. Brown, Edgar Manly Marvin, who mar- 
ried Winifred Smith and who is his father's partner in the 
furniture and undertaking business, Mrs. William A. Still of 
Roslyn, L. I., and Miss Jennie Marvin who lives at the pa- 
rental home. 

Charles A. Marvin, a graduate of Union College, class of 
1887, married Miss Grace Noxon, is a lawyer and holds a re- 
sponsible position in the Post Office at Ballston Spa. 

Lucy Marvin married Darv/in Bridges, then of Keeseville, 
and now lives near Alstead, N. H. 

Mary Marvin married P. A. Olcott and lives at Keeseville, 
N. Y. 

Harris J. Marvin is married and lives in Detroit, Mich. 

Jacob Allen was born August 20, 1789, and in his younger 



323 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

raanhoocl made many and long sea voyages. Ou his way home 
from one of his long voyages he was captured twice by the 
British in the War of 1812. He had the small pox on Mada- 
gascar Island and came near dying. After all these experi- 
ences he came up here among the mountains and started an old 
fashioned cabinet-shop on the Plain. The shop stood just 
across the street from the furniture and undertaking shop of W. 
M. Marvin & Son of to-day. In fact the main part of the present 
shop is the old shop fixed over. Jacob Allen built the spacious 
house to-day occupied by Edgar Manly Marvin. This house 
was built to take the place of one destroyed by fire in 1843. 
Jacob Allen died August 2, 1852. Jacob Aileu's widow died 
April 9, 1871, aged 80 years. Their graves are in Riverside 
cemetery. 

Henry Marvin, the father of the elder Edgar Manly Marvin 
mentioned, came from Connecticut to Williston, Vt. Henry 
Marvin was a mill-wright. He put up the Merriam Forge 
building on the Boquet River below Wadbams Mills. 

Edgar Manly Marvin, the elder, came to Elizabethtown when 
a young fellow and went to work in Jacob Allen's shop and 
eventually not only married Mr. Allen's daughter but became 
sole proprietor of the shop and business, which he conducted 
till 1879 when he took in as partner his son Walter M. Marvin 
head of the present firm. Edgar Manly Marvin died in 1887 
and his widow died in 1889. 

Henry Marvin's other children were George, James H., 
Maria, Thirza, Lucia and Sarah. James H. Marvin is the 
only one of the children now living, his residence being in 
Philadelphia, Pa. 

It has been said that the lumber business reached its height 
in Elizabethtown between 1820 and 1830. Certain it is that 
during the latter 20s the lumber business was prosecuted on a 
large scale here and if it did not bring individual wealth to all 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 324 

those who engaged in it, it furnished employment to many 
men. The iron interest at this time was also rapidly develop- 
ing, becoming a source of considerable revenue and furnishing 
employment to a large number of men. Saw-mills were built 
at almost every available point on the swift mountain streams 
and forges "grew up in a day," as it were. In accordance with 
the improved conditions brought about hj the boom in the 
lumber and iron business the people of Elizabethtown had ad- 
vanced to the building of comfortable frame houses, the 
forerunner of the air of thrift, pride and architectural beauty 
which has since settled upon the place. 

Alanson Mitchell served as Supervisor of Elizabethtown 
from 1829 to 1831, inclusive. At this time his son Jacob 
Mitchell had become large enough to clerk in the store and 
Post Office. Jacob Mitchell afterwards went to Florida, in 
which State he was living only a few years ago. 

In the summer of 1830 Elizabethtown received a temporary 
set-back. Reference is here made to the great freshet, than 
which no more disastrous flood ever visited this section. Saw 
logs, trees, fences, houses and everything imaginable, except 
the "everlasting hills," came down Water Street. The Little 
Boquet, swelled to overflowing banks, swept along with the 
besom of destruction, striking the old Ross whiskey distillery, 
(then being superintended by the late David Benson, Sr., 
a veteran of the War of 1812) and the old grist-mill by 
the bridge. The distillery was ruined and the grist-mill 
was so badly worsted that it never ground any grain 
after that fatal summer day. It was afterwards made over 
into a store and is to-day the front part of the store of Harry 
H. Nichols. The red store of Ira Marks which stood just be- 
low the bridge by the grist-mill was carried down stream, 
goods. Masonic records and all. Mr. Marks went down to the 
city .and told the people from whom he bought goods just what 



3(25 History of elizabethtown 

had happened, stating that he wanted some credit, for whicb 
he could give good security. When asked what security he 
could give, he replied : "My note, it's good." Credit was- 
given him and he returned to Elizabethtown and arranged a 
new place in which to conduct mercantile business and went 
ahead as though nothing had happened. 

Just below the Ira Marks store, on the same side the river, 
stood the hotel then kept by Pollaus A. Newell. The freshet 
struck the hotel and damaged it to such an extent that Pollaus 
A. Newell could not recover from the effects thereof. Public 
records show that sales on execution followed shortly. Pol- 
laus A. Newell moved to Ohio and "started again," financially 
speaking. 

The house of Jeremiah Stone just below the hotel was sur- 
rounded by water and the road along in front of the Richard 
L. Hand premises of to-day was all washed out. In fact it 
was some years before the village of Elizabethtown fully re- 
covered from the destructive effects of the great flood of 1830. 

Edmund F. Williams and Leander J. Lockwood ran the old 
Valley House after Pollaus A. Newell left town. They had a 
big hotel sign, an Indian Chief, which is well remembered by 
some of our older inhabitants. Eliona Marks bouglit the old 
Valley House in 1833 and began running it. 

In the early 30s a cloth manufactory was in operation on 
Water Street, Leander J. Lockwood running it. The building 
in which the cloth was made stood near where E. Trudeau re- 
sides. There was a dam across the Little Boquet, water power 
being used. The entrance to this manufactory was between 
two small elm trees. The small elm trees of the early 30s are 
now giants and may be seen standing side by side, and only a 
few feet apart, in front of Mr. Trudeau's residence. A. McD. 
Finney and Dr. R. J. Roscoe remember well when this cloth 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 326 

factory was in operation, and when Leander J. Lockwood lived 
m a house which stood jnst above it. 

From 1832 to 1834, inclusive, Charles Noble served as Su- 
pervisor of Elizabethtown. 

In the month of April, 1831, there arrived in Elizabethtown 
two famiHes, both of whom were destined to leave their names 
in our local geography. We refer to the arrival of the 
Hand and Jackson families. 

Augustus Cincinnatus Hand, born in Shoreham, Vt., in 1803> 
and Elizabeth Seeley Northrup, his wife, after a short residence 
in Crown Point where Mr. Hand practiced law and where their 
eldest child, Clifford Augustus Hand, was born in February, 
1831, came to Elizabethtown with their baby boy about the mid- 
dle of April, 1831, the former having recently been appointed 
Surrogate of Essex Count)' by the Governor. As they drove 
into Elizabethtown village they came along up the river bed, 
as left by the freshet of 1830, and as the wagon stopped near 
what is now the entrance to the Richard L. Hand home on 
River Street, Mrs. Hand stepped out upon what was left of 
the sidewalk after the disastrous flood of the previous year. 
Mr. Hand bought and moved into the house vacated by Gard- 
ner Stow. This house stood just east of the entrance to the 
Richard L. Hand home. 

Shortly after arriving in Elizabethtown Augustus C. Hand 
was appointed Postmaster, he was elected to Congress in 1838, 
State Senator in 1844 and rounded out his political career as 
Supreme Court Judge. In the little house to which he moved 
in April, 1831, were born his sons Samuel and Richard Lock- 
hart and his daughters Ellen and Marcia, the former becoming 
the first wife of Matthew Hale and the latter the first wife of 
Jonas Heartt, a college mate of her brother Samuel. Judge 
Augustus C. Hand was an enterprising resident and did all in 
his power to add to the attractiveness and beauty of his adopted 



327 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

town, also to improve the tone of the place socially anil other" 
wise. In 1848 and 1849 he erected the spacious brick house 
to-day occupied by his only surviving son. In 1862 the Haud 
law office was erected, Joseph Emnott doing the mason work. 
Hand Avenue, the street on the east side of the Plain in the 
village of Elizabethtown, was named in honor of Judge Au- 
gustus C. Hand.^ 

Daniel Jackson, a native of Peru, N. Y., and a veteran of the 
War of 1812, and Rhoda Ann Cady, his wife, moved into Eliz- 
abethtown with five children. Before coming here Daniel 
Jackson and family had resided in the town of Ches- 
terfield, also at Brookfield in the town of Essex. Upon his 
arrival here he moved into the Theodorus Ross house south 
of the Court House, Julia Ann, Sarah Jane, Samuel Doty, 
Charlotte Elizabeth and Daniel Cady were the children Daniel 
Jackson and wife brought to Elizabethtown. From the Theo- 
dorus Ross house they moved to the Fisher house, across the 
street from and a little below the Dr. Alexander Morse house. 
While living in the Fisher house Oscar F, was born. From 
the Fisher house the Jackson family moved to a plastered 
house nearly opposite Nathan Perry's house on the Plain and 
there Martin Van Buren was born, Daniel Jackson next 
moved to the Brownson farm on the road from Fisher Bridge 
to Simonds Hill. It was while Daniel Jackson lived on the 
Brownson farm that his oldest daughter Julia Ann (born 
March 24, 1816, and who still lives, residing in Grangeville, 
Cal.,) married George Knox, who died in the west a few years 
ago. From the Brownson farm Daniel Jackson moved to the 
famous Corner House (now part of The Windsor) and in this 
old landmark William Wallace was born November 12, 1839. 
From the Corner House Daniel Jackson and his large family 

1 Further matter relating to Judge Augustus C. Hand will appear in a chapter on the 
Bench and Bar. 




ELIJAH SIMONDS, 
Elizabethtown's Greatest Hunter and Trapper, 



HISTORY OF ELi2AJBETHTOWlM S30 

moved up ou to the Captain John Calkin farm and the following' 
spring he moved ou tn the Calvin Calkin farm which he had 
purchased and which has ever since been known in local par- 
lance as the Jackson farm. Moreover since the early 40s a 
stream passing through this farm has been known on all maps 
as the Jackson Brook, named in honor of the active proprietor 
of the place, who there toiled with his growing sons till they 
reached their majority and went west one after another. 

Daniel Jackson was a quick, impetuous sort of a man, pos- 
sessed of tireless energy and generously disposed. He was 
formerly a Baptist. Having a brother John who became a 
"Mormon Elder," Daniel finally went over to the Mormons and 
eventually "Aunt Rhoda Ann," as Mrs. Jackson was locally 
known, embraced the Mormon faith. However, she afterwards 
fepented and wrote her confession to the Elizabethtown Bap- 
tist Church. And it is said that Daniel Jackson himself as he 
approached old age gave up Mormonism, burned his papers, 
etc. 

The entire Jackson family emigrated to Wisconsin during 
the years from 1846 to 1858. William Wallace, the youngest 
of the Jackson children, was the last to leave Elizabethtown 
He married a Shores and lives at Strum, near Eau ClairOj Wis., 
and judging from letters he writes to relatives in the old home 
town there remains with him a fondness for the friends and 
scenes of his childhood. 

Daniel Jackson died in Sparta, Wis., in his 77th year. 
Rhoda Ann Jackson died there in her 83d year. Their remains, 
with those of Sarah Jane and her husband and a daughter of 
Samuel Doty rest in the cemetery at Sparta, Wis. Martin 
Van Buren died in St. Paul, Minn., while Oscar F. died in Eau 
Claire, Wis. Charlotte Elizabeth, widow of William Allis, and 
Daniel Cady live in Delta, Col. 

There was great activity in Elizabethtown during the first 



331 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

few years following 1830. Two forges were built just after the 
freshet of 1830, one on the Black River below Brainard's Forge, 
by Joshua Daniels, whose wife was a Palmer. Joshua Daniels 
left a large family of sous, including the following : Ira, Palmer, 
Nathan, Ezekiel, Charles Wesley and Andrew J., the latter 
being the only one now living. Andrew J. Daniels is a veteran 
of the civil war and a resident of Westport. The other forge 
built in Ehzabethtown just after the freshet of 1830 was lo- 
cated iu the Miller settlement. The Nobles are said to have 
furnished the money with which to erect the forge in the Mil- 
ler settlement. This forge stood a few rods from the present 
residence of William H. McDougal. The Miller Kilns, so- 
called, were built to furnish coal for the forge in the Miller set- 
tlement. The Miller Kilns stood about two miles south of the 
forge. 

In 1832 Robert Wilson Livingston, then 22 years of age, 
came to Elizabethtown from Lewis where he had resided since 
1817. Upon arriving here he boarded with David Russell 
Woodruff who lived in the house latterly known as the Judd 
house, just across Maple Street from where Maplewood Inn 
now stands. 

About this time Robert Wilson Livingston's father, Dr. 
William Livingston, opened the first drug store ever conducted 
in Elizabethtown village. The stock of drugs was kept in the 
little building previously used by Ashley Pond for the Essex 
County Clerk's ojfice. This building, it will be recalled, stood 
on the southwest corner of the lot on which the Lamson house 
now stands. 

In the month of September, 1833, occurred the death of 
Azel Abel,^ who had served as a soldier from Massachusetts in 

I In speaking of Azel Abel and family earlier in this work no mention was made of Willis 
Abel, a brother of Azel Abel. It was Willis Abel after whom our late townsman Willis 
Nichols was named, the latter being a grandson of Azel Abel. 



HISTORY OF ELI2A6ETHT0WN 352 

the American Revolution, had crossed Lake Champlain from 
Orwell, Vt, in 1798 and became Elizabethtown's first hotel 
keeper. He died in the Boquet Valley and was buried in the 
old cemetery. It may truthfully be added here that the name 
Abel has been a prominent one io the history of Elizabeth- 
town for 107 years. 

During this period of Elizabethtown's history Captain John 
Lobdell was acting as Jonas Morgan's agent in Elizabethtown 
and Westport. Captain John Lobdell still lived up on the hill 
back of where Cornelius Ryan lives on the Westport turnpike 
to-day. In those days Captain John Lobdell kept a black- 
smith constantly employed. The blacksmith was of good old 
English stock, having come directly from England to Westport. 
His name was William Hooper, father of that well-known vet- 
eran of the civil war, Robert Hooper of Westport. The black- 
smith-shop stood in the "fork of the road*' a few rods 
towards Elizabethtown from the residence of Cornelius Ryan. 
Jerome Therou Lobdell, only surviving son of Captain John 
Lobdell, a man of truth and veracity, (a true scion of a noble 
sire) says he remembers well when Jonas Morgan visited his 
father's house for the last time. It was after Captain John 
Lobdell had moved down off the hill to what is now Meigsville, 
probably along in the 408. At that time the two men, accord- 
ing to the only living witness of the transaction, settled up, 
passed receipts, etc., and bade each other farewell, to meet on 
earth no more forever, as that was the last visit he of Mor- 
gan's Patent fame ever made to this section. 

It has been stated on the pages of history that the Essei 
County Times was founded by Robert W. Livingston at Eliz- 
abethtown in 1832. However, the best evidence in the world — 
the bound files of the Essex County Times — exist to 
prove that historians have heretofore been in error concern- 
ing the date of the founding of this paper. The bound files 



333 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

are before the author of Pleasant Valley and show 
beyond the shadow of doubt that the Essex County Times was 
not started until the autumn of 1833, as Vol. 1, No. 1, is dated 
"Elizabethtown, N. V., Wednesday, October 9, 1833." R W. 
Livingston was editor, I. P. Wheeler being printer. The 
Essex County Times was a weekly paper. Augustus C. Hand 
was then Postmaster in Elizabethtown village. A list of let- 
ters remaining uncalled for at the Elizabethtown P. O. Oct. 
1, 1833, contained the following : Ames Edward, Baldwin Rev. 
J. B., Browuson Jehiel C, Brown Elijah, Chase Hiram, Du- 
rand Milo, Eddy Joseph, Fitzgerald Joseph 2, Furuess Daniel 
H., Higley Dudley, Jackson John (Mormon Elder), Knapp J. 
C, Knoll Jean, Lockwood L. J., Lewis Calvin, Lewis David, 
Lewis Luc3\ Lobdell Silvaiius, Major Hector Robert, Mitchell 
Alanson, Mitchell William N., Machzorda Charlotte, Newcomb 
Cyrenus, Nichols John, Nichols Rowland, Person Jane D., 
Saywood William, Sabin E. W., Stearn John, Wilson Joseph, 
Wilson H., Wood Plinuey, Woodrufif Timothy, Weiber Pries- 
dolph. 

The Post Office was then kept in Mr. Hand's law office which 
stood a few rods west of his house. 

By the first copy of the Essex County Times it is learned 
that Charles Armstrong and Edwin Salsbury were then tailors 
in Elizabethtown, conducting their business in the room under 
the printing office. 

Charles H. Brainard was then making hats in Elizabethtown 
and advertised "Cash and Hats for Hatters Fur," G. W. Allen 
was conducting a shoe-shop "opposite the Printing Office," 
and E. F. Williams "wanted 1000 bushels of oats for which the 
subscriber will pay cash and the highest price." 

The first number of the Esses County Times contained an 
account of the RepubHcan (Democratic) Convention in and for 
Essex County which had been held at the house of D. R. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 334 

Woodruff on the 24th of September. The Elizabethtown del- 
egates in that Convention were Cyrenus Newcomb, A. C Hand 
and R. W. Livingston, A. C. Hand acting as one of the Secre- 
taries. The Town Committee appointed for the year consisted 
of R. W. Livingston, Luke Rice and John Catliu. At that 
Convention the following ticket was nominated : 

For Assembly — Barnabas Myrick. 
" County Clerk — Edward S. Cuyler. 
" Coroner — Fortis M. Wilcox. 

R. W. Livingston closed his signed address to the public in 
that first issue as follows : "How far and how faithfully we 
shall discharge our duty, time and your candor must determ- 
ine. Of this be assured, our own exertions shall not be want- 
ing, that we may not be found sleeping at our post. Nor will 
we forget that the object of every good citizen should be "Lib- 
erty — Union — and our Country." 

Christmas Day, 1833, the Essex County Times appeared 
with the name of a new printer, C. S. Newcomb, but R. W. 
Livingston continued editor. One learns by this issue that 
H. Backman was about to open a "tavern stand opposite the 
Court House in Elizabethtown." E. F. Williams had a bid 
for hotel patronage in the same issue. C. & H. Noble then 
advertised that they had for sale "for ready pay or approved 
credit, upon reasonable terms, leather, boots, shoes, harness, 
saddles, bridles, trunks, also 100 bbls. of good beef and a few 
bbls. of fine mutton, all well packed in good casks and in fine 
order, in payment for most of which will be received grain, 
iron, hides, calf-skins, house ashes, lumber, labour, &c., &g." 
This "Ad." gives something of an idea of the exchange of bar- 
ter at the Noble store in the early 30s. 

January 1, 1834, Charles Armstrong was evidently doing 
tailoring on his own hook, as only his name was attached to 
the "Ad." at that time. 



335 HISTORY OF ELIZA BfiTHTOWN 

Jno. S. Chipman was, so far as is kuowii, Elizabetfi- 
town's first fire insurance agent, representing The Springfield 
Fire Insurance Company, having an "Ad." in the Essex County 
Times in the latter part of the year 1833 and the early part of 
1834. 

A select school for the instruction of young ladies was being 
kept here then by Miss Miner of Castletou, Yt. 

January 1, 1834, Chas. H. Brainard announced that he con- 
ducted a boarding house opposite the store of C. & H. Noble, 
boarding and lodging for 50 cents per day. 

January 1, 1834, Edward S. Cuyler, having been elected 
Essex County Clerk in November, 1833, moved to Elizabeth- 
town and occupied, ofiicially of course, the new brick Clerk's 
Office which had been erected on the Plain (present location) 
in 1833. During the erection of the Essex County Clerk's 
Office the father and grandfather (on the paternal side) of the 
author of Pleasant Valley worked on the building, at which 
time and place the former narrowly escaped being killed by a 
falling brick wall. An attempt was made to put up an arch 
inside the Clerk's Office, a sort of "fire- proof" arrangement. 
It was this arch which fell. The brick for the County Clerk's 
Ofllce were made just below what has since been known as 
the Valley Forge settlement. 

The Essex County Times was printed on an old "Ramage 
press." William Naham Mitchell, formerly on the type setting 
staff of the Essex Patriot of Essex, N. Y., sorted the type and 
helped get out the first issues of the Essex County Times. He 
was an Elizabethtown man, then 23 years of age, having been 
born in 1810. 

At an Essex County Democratic Convention held at the 
Court House Oct. 1, 1834, OHver Person, Jno. S. Chipman and 
A. C. Hand served as delegates for Elizabethtown, 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOVTN 336 

The ElizabethtowD subscribers for the Essex County Times 
were, according to a preserved list, as follows : 

John Catlin, A. C. Hand, 3 copies, Lucius Bishop, David 
Judd, Oliver Abel, Nathan Perry, Elisha Yaw, Jeremiah Stone, 
D. R. Woodruff, Ira Marks, Edward Ames, Daniel Jackson, 
Levi Denton, Asa Stoddard, Jason Pangborn, Sampson Smith, 
John Sanders, James Estabrook, Hiram Calkin, Erastus 
Simonds, James Abel, Wm. Deming, John S. Goff, Jacob 
Deyo, Leland Rowe, Richard Rogers, Oliver Cady, Basil 
Bishop, Abijah Perry, E. S. Cuyler, Asa Haasz, F. Jenkins, O. 
Moreau, Jacob Allen, J. S. Chipman, 1. Jones, Oliver Person, 
Cyrenus Newcomb, Joseph Blake, C. & H. Noble, Charles 
Miller, Eben. Hanchett, E. F. Williams, O. G. Matthews, 
Philip S. Miller, Norman Calkin, Lorenzo Rice, Benjamin 
Rice, Eben. Johnson, Robert Linton, Charles Armstrong, John 
Stearns, (undoubtedly the minister as "given" is marked after 
his name on list,) Charles H. Brainard, Jehiel C. Brownson, 
Ruel Eddy. D. H. Furnace, Jonas Blood, Rev. O. Miner, 
(given,) Wm. N. Mitchell, David Osgood, Manoah Miller, Jo- 
siah R. Pulcipher, A. Southwell, Henry Backman, John South- 
well, J. Bowers, Selah Westcott, Harry C. Blood, John Lewis, 
Daniel B. Miller, T. Murphy, Joshua Slaughter, N. Person, 
William Brittan, Simeon Rusco. 

Several names appear on this list for the first time in 
our Elizabethtown history. Some of them were prominent 
in after life. Elisha Yaw came to Elizabethtown from the 
Shoreham, Vt., region early in the SOs and settled above Split 
Rock Falls. The saw-mill in his neighborhood was for years 
referred to as Yaw's mill ; afterwards the settlement was 
known as Euba Mills. Elisha Yaw married Matilda Hanmer. 
His daughter became the first wife of the late Myron Lamb. 

William Deming and sons Austin A., WillardF. and Horatio 
S. became prominent in town affairs, A son of Austin A. 



337 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Deniing, Austin K Deming, married Jennie Sargent auJ they 
to-day own and occupy one of the most substantial homes on 
Water Street. 

About this time the Dentou brothers, Aiansou, Levi, Wash- 
ington, Alexander, George, Salem and Truman settled in Eliz- 
abethtowu and their children and grandchildren are now scat- 
tered throughout Elizabethtown and Lewis, Washington 
Denton was burned to death in an old time coal-pit at the 
upper end of the Boquet Valley half a century ago. 

Milo Calkin, U. S. Consul to the Sandwich Islands. 

As the author of Pleasant Valley commences to write of 
men and events of the early 30s his mind turns to Milo 
Calkin, son of Calvin Calkin and Kaziah Kellogg, his wife. 
Having had access to the Journal of Milo Calkin, who was 
born and reared on a farm two miles west of Elizabetlitowu 
village (known as the Jackson place for the past 60 years) I 
have decided to quote from it and give a brief sketch of his 
career, beginning with the following dedication : 

"To his esteemed and valued friends and relatives in Eliz- 
abethtown, N. Y., the following chapter of accidents, incidents 
and other events, taken down as they occurred during ten 
years of travel by land and sea, is respectfully dedicated by 
the author, MILO CALKIN." 

He starts his Journal by saying : "I can well recollect my 
mother gave me my first flogging when about two years old. 
As my only means of revenge I gave her the important piece 
of intelligence that I should run mcay clear down to the Ash 
Houye, a feat which I performed with so much ease and satis- 
faction that I determined from that hour that I would astonish 
the world by my travels and prove to my mother that she had 




Elizabethtown Baptist Church. Erected J 837. Remodeled 1899. 



HISTORY OP ELI2ABETHT0WN 340 

'boru a Mau,' uotwitbstaudiug she had given me a taste of 
Birch. My disposition to travel increased with my age and in 
due time I sallied forth, commissioue 1 to find the Cows and 
drive them straight home. Soon after this I was put in charge 
and astride of a bag of corn and sent to the mill but my hap- 
piness was not complete until one day Uncle Isaac and Uncle 
Ben (two veterans of the Battle of Plattsburgh) took me on 
top of a load of hay and with Father's consent drove me off 
clear down to the corner. In my imagination I was now at 
the end of the world and Christopher Columbus never felt a 
greater degree of satisfaction on setting his foot on the new 
world than I did when Uncle Isaac took me by the hand and 
led me into Judge Ross's store." While in Judge Ross's store 
the future U. S. Consul heard Dr. Morse's Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! 
Judge Daniel Ross's store stood where the Post Office block 
now stands. 

Next in the Journal he records how he spilled his father's 
rye in the field, untying the bag and letting "the whole run 
out in a funny little stream. This was capital fun until fath- 
er's voice like a peal of Thunder changed my tune to B fiat. O 
you little rascal, now I'll whip you. I'll learn you to spill the 
rye. Of course my jig was up, but my answer I shall never 
forget. Never mind dad, ive can pick it up again.'' He re- 
cords that his father flogged him but believes his answer "cut 
oflf half the length of the lash," for he felt it lightly. He says 
"Don't cry for spilt milk" was his motto through life. "This 
disposition used to undergo a severe trial, however, at times, for 
instance, when living with Uncle John. My good Aunt Lucy 
used to skim her milk twice and put the cream in the wooden 
churo, then she would turn it over and skim the bottom and 
give me the sum, not the substance, of this last process. I used 
sometimes to think it better to cry for spilt milk than to swal- 



341 HISTORY OP ELIZABETHTOWN 

low double refined skim milk without the privilege of crying 
to take the taste of blue out of my mouth." 

Speaking of his absorbing desire to see some of the world 
he says : "Accordingly on the 23d day of September, 1833, I 
cut loose from my moorings and set out to seek mj' fortune and 
go up and down the earth. I reached Nantucket and attached 
myself to a Whale ship bound into the Pacific Ocean, This 
I was advised to do by my Physician who said I might take 
my choice, either go to sea or to the grave. I replied that I 
preferred the voyage to the former place decidedly, though I 
half repented it afterwards. November 18 we got under weigh 
and put out to sea in company with the ships Susan and 
Lydia. We must have sailed on an unauspicious day, for the 
Lydia was afterwards burnt at sea and the Susan was set on 
fire, which was extinguished after serious damage and after- 
wards got on a rock and damaged her bottom and returned a 
dead loss to her owner. Our ship, the Independence, was 
wrecked after two years, so out of the three only one returned to 
tell the tale but I am anticipating my story. At one o'clock 
P. M., I took a parting look at the blue hills of my native 
land as they were just sinking in the dim distant horizon and 
in a few minutes my eye found nothing on which to rest save 
the clear blue sky above the deep blue wave, which was 
rolling beneath me. Sweet, sweet home, the scenes and friends 
of my youth far behind — and an unknown train of events about 
to break in upon me ; thus I mused as the ship was rushing 
through the water on her course but my musing soon took 
another turn. The crew began to feel the motion of the ship 
and on casting my eyes around I saw them in all directions, 
some vomiting, some trying to vomit and others wishing to 
vomit but could not ; fortunately for me, I was not in the least 
sea sick. 

Our ship's company consisted of the Captain, 2 mates, 3 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BET HTOWN 342 

Boat Stoerers, 1 Blacksmith, 1 Carpenter aod 14 hands, 22 all 
told. I officiated as carpenter and lived in the Cabin. 

After having been at sea a few days one of our crew, a native 
of the Sandwich Islands, died of consumption. He had left 
his sunny Isle of perpetual summer to try our cold northern 
clime — had taken cold and died of quick consumption, and we 
were called upon to witness the solemnities of a funeral at sea. 
The ship was hove to the wind (which means placing her in 
such a position that she would not go ahead) the body was 
brought to the gangway, sewed up in a Blanket and laid out on 
the rail of the ship's side and after a short prayer from Cap- 
tain Brayton, the plank was tipped up and the body slid gently 
into the blue wave and sunk to rise no more till the sea shall 
disgorge its countless dead. I have often followed my fellow 
clay to its narrow house and seen the earth close over the vic- 
tims of Death but never had I before experienced so great 
solemnity of feeling as on this occasion, my first ocean funeral. 
Nature too seemed clothed in the garb of mourning, the sky 
was o'ercast, the wind groaned audibly through the ship's rig- 
ging and the treacherous wave rolled in majesty as if triumph- 
ing over its victim, veiling forever from human eyes — - 

The Ocean tomb — the coral cave, 
Where lies the lonely seaman's grave. 

About the 1st of January we took our first whale. We were 
all seated at dinner (not around a mahogany table) when the 
man aloft sung out 'There She Blows,' meaning there she 
spouts. 'Whales,' cried a dozen voices at once. Everything 
was instantly in commotion and 'AH hands — Stand by the 
Boats -Lower away—Shove off — Pull hard Boys — Lay back I 
say' was issued from the stentorian voice of Capt. B, before I 
fairly knew where I was or what was to pay. When I did 
come to myself I found myself making desperate use of an 
oar in Capt. B's Boat which was fairly flying through the 



343 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

water in pursuit of the whales which were about a mile from 
the ship. A few minutes passed as time is wout to pass some- 
times and Bang went 2 Harpoons into the Broadside of one of 
the greasy monsters, who expressed his views of the insult by 
slapping his tail on to the water with such tremendous force 
as to half fill our boat with water and then started off with the 
speed of an arrow and we being fast to him by a long line at- 
tached to the Harpoon were delighted to find ourselves moving 
over the water in a manner calculated to make one think that 
Railroads were but small affairs, after all. Finding escape im- 
possible, he stopped suddenly and we hauled in the line which 
brought the Boiit close alongside of him and 2 or 3 darts of 
the Lance set him to spouting blood and in a few minutes he 
lay a helpless mass on the water. When we first went alongside 
of the Whale I confess I wished myself up Roaring Brook 
catching Trout but being in for It I put the best face on that I 
could for my eyes which stuck out of my head like two wooden 
balls on a Bull's horns. But when we went up to kill him 
after he had stopped running my courage came to the rescue 
and before the Whale was dead I was quite as enthusiastic as 
any one and ever after I preferred going in the Boat rather 
than stay in the ship when Whales were in sight." Next fol- 
lows a picture of a sperm whale, drawn by Mr. Calkin himself. 
It may be added here that the Journal of Milo Calkin is 
adorned with several commendable illustrations, all the handi- 
work of himself. 

Continuing, he says: "Having the privilege of Oapt.B.'s Books 
I applied myself diligently to the study of Navigation and in 
a few weeks had made myself so familiar with the science that 
Capt. B. made it a part of my duty to give him the ship's Lat- 
itude and Longitude every day for the whole voyage. This I 
found both amusing and instructive. In fact I began to look 
forward to the day when I should be Captain of my own 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 344 

ship, which I should have been had not a more agreeable 
business presented itself and I have a thousand times thanked 
my stars that I gave up the sea for a livelihood." 

Mile Calkin passed Cape Horn on the 8th of March, 1834, 
and a little later visited the city of Lima and also moored in 
Payta, (Point Blanco). He visited the Gallipagos Islands. He 
says in his Journal : "We cruised near the Equator in Longi- 
tude from 100 to 130 deg. west where we took in 800 Bbls. of 
Sperm Oil and on the 2d day of November the man at the 
Mast head delighted our ears by the welcome cry of Land ho ! 
being the Marquesa Islands, and in a few minutes we found 
ourselves among a school of Whales numbering 50 or 60." 
The boats were lowered and 14 were killed, only 7 being saved, 
"the others having sunk." 

April 1, 1835, found Milo Calkin at the Sandwich Islands, 
destined to be his home for some years. 

A little later he says in his Journal: "During this last cruise 
on the coast of Japan we took 800 Bbls. of Oil and met with 
no accident except having a Boat knocked to pieces by a whale 
and the crew tossed up in every direction but nobody hurt. 

On the 19th of November, 1835, we took anchor and stood 
out to sea, intending to cruise a few weeks and shape our 
course homeward but on the night of the 14th of December at 
eleven o'clock our good ship struck the rocks on the shore of 
Starbuck Island and very quietly laid her bones to rest. 
* * * The ship struck the rocks with such force as to 
crush her bottom and she lay embedded in the rocks where 
she broke in the middle and every breaker, as the surf came 
tumbling in, dashed over her deck in a sheet of foam. The 
Island is uninhabited and destitute of wood or water, a barren 
sand bank. We remained here 10 days and 12 of us took the 
Boats and steered for Society Islands, leaving ten men on the 
Island by the wreck. * * * After 18 days passage in the 



345 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

Boats we lauded on the Islands of Raratonga, havinj^ sailed 15 
hundred miles in a small Boat iu the Broad Pacific. After re- 
maining here a month a ship hove iu sight and took us off and 
proceeded to the Society Islands where my comrades took 
passage for home. As for me, my object was not accomplished 
and I could not thiuk a moment of returning home penniless. 
I had lost six hundred dollars by the ship wreck and now 
'stood in' the whole amount of my earthly goods and chattels. 
I had during my short visit to the Sandwich Islands formed 
an attachment to that climate and as the ship which had res- 
cued us was bound to that port after a cruise of six months I 
joined her. ******* ^ * 

On my arrival at the Sandwich Islands, (Nov. 1, 1836) the 
Missionaries gave me employment as a teacher of Music and 
in taking charge of the students of the Seminary when out of 
school hours. There were about 70 Boys from 10 to 16 years 
of age and I found my hands full to keep them out of mischief. 

The Sandwich Islanders are a very docile, inoffensive people 
and filthy. 

Having remained at the Seminary seven months I received 
a proposal from Messrs. Ladd & Co., merchants, in Honolulu 
to fill the place of head clerk in their establishment, which I 
did. Ladd & Co., my employers being extensively engaged 
in the manufacture of sugar, were carrying on a very large 
business." 

He records that he remained in the employ of Ladd & Co, 
till Jan. 20, 1842, when he embarked for his native land and on 
the 23d day of June following landed on the shores of America 
after a continuous absence of nearly nine years. 

On August 3d he records that he paid $1.50 for "Private 
Carriage to Elizabethtown," presumably in from Westport 
steamboat dock. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 346 

He figures that he traveled 3,130 miles at a cost for fare only 
of $138.50. 

He records that he spent a large part of the summer of 1842 
alternately in Hallowell, (Maine) Boston and New York City, 
^'during which time I transacted my necessary business and 
also perpetrated Matrimony which was not exactly nevessary 
but quite convenient." 

Writing from Boston under date of Oct. 25, 1842, to his 
cousin, Mrs. Eliza Perry, he says: "I am at last driven to the 
necessity of saying good b}' to you and all my Elizabethtown 
friends by letter. I have tried hard to find time to visit you 
again but must disappoint myself as well as my friends by my 
inability to do so. I am to embark on the first of Novr. for my 
'Island home,' am taking out with me fifteen thousand dollars 
worth of goods and fifty thousand dollars worth of 'wife,' 
making a snug little invoice of the necessaries and the luxuries 
of life. M}' time of course must be pretty much occupied 
in making purchases. I was 'tied up' night before last to one 
Miss Eveline Johnson of Hallowell, Maine." 

Reference to the Journal shows that on the 2d day of No- 
vember, 1842, he embarked for the Sandwich Islands "on the 
Bark Bhering, Captain B. F. Snow, Master, paying for the 
passage of myself and wife 400 Dollars." 

On the last page of his Journal is recorded the fact of the 
arrival of himself and wife at Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, on 
the 17th day of March, St. Patrick's Day, 1843, which singu- 
larly enough was the day of the first hanging ever performed in 
Elizabethtown, Essex County, the birthplace of Milo Calkin. 

April 4, 1845, Milo Calkin wrote from the Sandwich Islands 
to his cousin Mrs. Eliza Perry as follows : 

Your kind, good letter of last July came to hand a few days 
since and was like a bucket of cold water upset on a scalded 
pate — 'really refreshing.' I am a married man, a merchant 



347 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

and a U. S. Cousul and have but little time to commuuicate 
Avith ray distant frieuds but I caDuot ueglect you. My official 
duties require all of my attention, toge;;her with the assistance 
of a smart clerk and a smarter little wife. I am perhaps too 
much engrossed in business for my own health. My office is 
worth 3 thousand dollars per year and my mercantile business 
about $1500 but enough of dollars and cents. We are as 
happy in our beautiful Island home as mortals may well be in 
this world. When I am tired and weary Eveline sits down to 
the Piano and with her gentle voice drives away every cloud 
from my brow and our voices mingle in some beautiful senti- 
ment and all care is dispersed like a flock of sheep over a 6 
rail fence! * * ******* 

Speaking of his manifold duties, he says in the same letter: 
"I have to be Court Martial, Judge, Jury, Lawyer and Execu- 
tioner all in a breath." 

Thus we find our Elizabethtowu boy (he who was born on 
that hillside farm through which the Jackson Brook winds its 
way) serving as United States Consul to the Sandwich Islands 
under President Polk. 

August 16, 1846, he writes from Honolulu, S. I., to his cousin, 
Mrs. Eliza Perry : "I have sold out my stores and merchand- 
ise and coming home again as soon as I get all settled up." 
All these letters were of the old-fashioned folder kind, sealing- 
wax, and costing 25 cts. each to send by mail. 

May 12, 1847, he writes Mrs. Perry from Marlboro House, 
Boston : "I have just lauded with my wife and daughter, all 
well ; 128 days from the Sandwich Islands and am roaming 
about at large, though it is supposed by some that I am per- 
fectly harmless, considering I have been in a 'semi-savage' 
country for the last 14 years. 

When you receive this please consider it only my Bark — my 




made fay J. W. Steele Showing Streams and Boundaries of Elizabethtown 
Since Wcstport was Set Off. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 350 

Bite is to come an'l a good grip it shall be, somewhere about 
the region of the knuckles. 

I have to visit Washington City before I come home as I am 
the bearer of a private despatch to the President of U. States 
from the U. S. Minister in the Pacific, but shall be with you 
ere long, if I live, with my family." 

During the summer of 1847 he visited Elizabethtown and 
found much to enjoy here among his native hills, from which 
he had been away so long. 

Nov. 18, 1847, he writes from Brooklyn, N. Y., "I am going 
into the wholesale drug business in New York on the 1st of 
Jan'y. My health was never better." 

March 7, 1848, he was in the drug business in New York, on 
which date Mr. Barrett of Elizabethtown visited him. 

A little later Milo Calkin went to San Francisco, Cal., and 
from there he addressed a letter dated March 18, 1857, to Mrs. 
Perry in which he spoke of his daughters Gussie and Kate us 
"fast budding into womanhood." 'Tis said that Milo Calkin 
has not been heard from since the latter part of the civil war 
period and he is supposed to have gone to his grave in that 
greatest of sundown sea States, California. If so, peace be to 
his ashes. 

Milo Calkin, while on an island where there was nothing 
but , salt water, improvised a method of distilling so that 
people could drink it. 

It will not be out of place to state here that Milo Calkin 
Perry, ex-District Attorney of Essex County, was named after 
the loyal son of Elizabethtown who served as U. S. Consul to 
the Sandwich Islands.^ 



1 In mentioning the sons of Elijah Calkin in a previous chapter the name of Ransom 
Calkin was omitted. Ransom Calkin was a shoemaker and for years lived on Water Street. 
He was twice married. His first wife is said to have been a Barnum. The children by his 
first wile were Hiram, Almina and Elnora. His second wife was a Rand. The children by 
the second wife were Albert, Ivers and Daniel Ransom Calkin lived in Willsboro after 
leaving Elizabethtown. 



351 HISTORY OP ELIZABETHTOWN 

Two Forjces aiid a Match Factory in Elizabsthtown Village. 

In the early 30s there were two forges iu operation on the 
Little Boquet, between what we of to-day speak of as the 
"Twin Bridges" and "Rice's Falls." Both of these forges 
stood upon soil now within the incorporated limits of Eliz- 
abethtown village. The one which stood near where the iron 
bridge (formerly Twin Bridges) of to-day spans the Little Bo- 
quet was known as the Eddy forge, called after the name of 
the man who operated it. The upper forge, that is the one 
nearest the Rice grist-mill, was known as the Brown forge, 
Deacon Levi Brown operating it. It was near this forge that 
Deacon Brown left a load of charcoal standing on his wagon 
just at night, being too tired to unload it then. Next morning 
as he went to unload the coal he was greatly surprised and 
chagrined to find only his wagon irons left, as there was fire 
in the coal, hence the trouble.' 

In December, 1835, the old Vallej- House (then owned by 
Eliona Marks) burned. Landlord Marks immediately moved 
into the new house belonging to the Nobles and in 1836 the 
hotel was rebuilt by Mr. Marks who continued to run it until 
the spring of 1846 when he sold it to David Judd. 

Bracket Johnson was an early Elizabethtown blacksmith 
and is said by old residents to have operated a shop along in 
the 30s which stood just in front of where Douglas A. Adams' 
house now stands on Water Street. 

Elizabethtown's Supervisor from 1835 to 1838, inclusive, was 
David Judd. 

In 1832 a true friction match was brought into use in Eng- 
land. Shortly afterwards the friction match was introduced 

I Dr. R.J, Roscoe kindly made a map of the Little Boquet region, showing location of 
these two forges and he is also authority for the wagon burning story, as he saw Deacon 
Brown go to the forge with the load of coal and viewed the wagon irons afterwards. It 
might be added here that A McD. Finney also remembers these two forges and has often 
talked with the author of Pleasant Valley about them. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETEiTOWN 352 

iu thii^ couDtry, the American match being called Locofoco. It 
was shortly after the introduction of the friction match iu New 
York City that the lights mysteriously went out at a political 
meeting in Tammany Hall. As the Democrats re-lighted the 
candles upon that occasion with Locofoco matches they were 
called Locofocos. It may interest some to know that at the 
time of the Tammany Hall incident referred to, real friction 
matches were being manufactured iu Elizabeth town village. 
This may be astonishing news to the majority of the readers 
of Pleasant Valley, nevertheless it is true. A man named Ozro 
Finel, said to have come here from England, brought knowl* 
edge of match making with him and shortly after landing in 
Elizabethtown commenced to make matches. His factory was 
iu one of Jeremiah Stone's buildings on the bank of the Little 
Boquet, just across the stream from where the Circulating Li- 
brary building stands. Finel's matches were large, coarse and 
bungling, much more so than the modern Portland Star match 
and something rough like sandpaper had to be used to scratch 
them on. Ozro Finel worked some time at match making on 
the bank of the Little Boquet, the factory having stood on 
land belonging lo what is to-da}' referred to as the Judge 
Robert S. Hale place. Alonzo McD. Finney and Alonzo M. 
Durand, two of the oldest residents of Elizabethtown village, 
remember when Ozro Finel's match factory was in operation. 
Finel's matches were the first made in Northern New York 
and were gladly welcomed by the public generally, as up to 
this time flint and punk, a peculiar kind of combustible fluid 
kept in a bottle, and coals kept over in ashes and oftentimes 
carried from house to house, and long distances at that, had 
been the only means at hand with which to make a fire. Ozro 
Finel married an adopted daughter of Deacon Joseph Blake 
and their son Egbert O. Finel is well remembered by many 
residents of Elizabethtown. After Ozro Finel's death his 



353 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

widow aud son lived for some time with Deacon Blake. Event- 
ually they moved to St. Johnsbnry, Vt., where Mrs. Finel 
again married and where her son found employment in the 
scale works. Egbert O. Finel died within recent years. 

The advent of matches and the arrival of stoves in Eliz- 
abethtown must have added materially to the comfort and 
convenience of the people. 

In the month of September, 1834, occurred the death of 
Joseph Call, the strong man, concerning whose feats of strength 
so many stories have been told. Joseph Call died at West- 
port and was buried there, death having been caused b}' a 
carbuncle on his neck. 

In 1834 the Essex County Academy was established at 
Westport, Orson Kellogg of Elizabethtown being the first 
Principal, holding the position for eight years, after which he 
went to New York where he died in the early 50s. William 
Higby succeeded Orson Kellogg as Principal of the Essex 
County Academy. 

In 1836 Emily P. Gross, a young lady born and brought up 
in Elizabethtown, was female teacher in the Essex County 
Academy. She afterwards married Kansom E. Wood and lies 
buried in an English church-yard at Matlock, Bath, in Derby- 
shire, and there in the little church is a memorial window 
which commemorates her virtues. 

Juliet Gross taught in our old brick school house in the 
latter 30s and afterwards married Monroe Hall. Charlotte 
Gross married a man named Burt, a resident of Ausable 
Forks. 

Betsey Brown also taught in the old brick school house 
during the latter 308. 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 354 

An Early Elizabethtown Temperance Society. 

February 28, 1837, a meeting of the inhabitauts of Elizabeth - 
towu was held at the Brick School House for the purpose of 
forming a temperance society. As a result of that meeting the 
Total Abstinence Temperance Society of Elizabethtown was 
loraied with the following officers : 

Joseph Blake, President. 

Jerah Stone, Vice-President. 

Dea'n Levi Brown, "] 

Milo Durand, ] 

. Nathan Perry, }- Managers. 

Jehiel C. Brownson, j 

Calvin Cady, j 

N. Perry, Treasurer. 

N, N. Person, Secretary. 

Names of male members of this society included Abijah 
Perry, Oliver H. Perry, Henry Brownsou, Chester Brownson, 
Aldin Spooner, Milo Durand, Orlando G. Matthews, John B. 
Perry, George Knox, Nathan Perry, Benj. F. Garfield, Joseph 
Blake, Samuel Brownson, Norman N. Person, Jehiel C. Brown- 
son, Jacob Matthews, Lewis Calkin, Edwin Matthews, Ivers 
P. Sampson, Theron Kellogg, William Gray, Orlando Durand, 
Carleton C. Cole, Oliver Person, Jera Stone, Daniel Jackson, 
Asa Post, Asa H. Post, Ozro Finel, Isaac Allen, Erastus Hig- 
iey, Lorenzo Kellogg, Austin L. Kibby, George Brownson, 
Wm. H. Rice, Levi D. Brown, Calvin B. Cady, Rowland Nich- 
ols, Alex. McDougal, Wm. Wall, Leonard G. Ross, Dea. Enos 
Wise, Orson Kellogg, Benjamin Blanchard, John H. Walden, 
Ebenezer Hanchett, Brewster Morgan Hodgskins, Alanson 
Blake, Wm. Kellogg, Richard Rogers, Henry Durand, Amos 
Smith, Wm. H. Tuttle, Horace W. Parkill, J. Parkill, Myron 
Durand, Horace Durand, Ira Kellogg, Orson Kellogg, 2d, 
James Stafford, Elijah Calkin, Paschal Blood, Thomas Jetfer- 



365 KISTOJRY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

sou Otis, Robert Liatou, Charles Coats, John L. Alien, Ahv.i-' 
sou Wilder, Edw. S. Cuyler, Edirumd F. Williams, J. B. iStod- 
dard, Luther Kuox, Dauiel VVise, Win. Brown, John Knoxy 
Alouzo Turner, John Stanton, A. F, Ferris, P. M. Goodrich, 
C. L. Blood, N. N. Blood, Monroe Matthews, Solomon Gale, 
Jr., C. C. Stevens, C. Fishor, Jonathan Tarbell, George B. 
Matthews, 

Female members were Bebecca Calkin, Lovina Walton, 
Amuy D. Morse, Fhebe E. Woodruff, Marcia S. Hand, Polly 
Abel, Maria Ray, Nancy S. Perry, Harriet Blake, Susanna 
Blake, Mary Post, Sarah Post, Martha Post, Melissa Post, 
Betsey Brown, Achsa M. Person, Ellen Couly, Ann Gray, 
Abigail Person, Flavia Morse, Emily Lee, Harriet Hodskins, 
Sibil Bee, Polly U. Kellogjy, Polly Aldeu, Mary Ann Post, 
Harriet Palmer, Arvilla Stratton, Julia Ann Holcomb, Caro- 
line Whitney, Vashti Stone, Rebecca B. Perry, Elizabeth 
Brown, Almira Durand, Mary Ann Nichols, Abigail Duraud, 
Betsey Durand, Harriet Calkin, Nancy Johnson, Betsey HaD 
Louisa Gould, Cordelia Pond, Margaret M. Woodruff, Lovina 
Stone, Eliza Brownson, Ruth Hall, Polly Hanchett, Elizabeth 
Blake, Betsey Nichols, Roxalana Matthews, Rubey Kellogg, 
Nancy Rogers, Susanna Daniels, Julia Hall, Charlotte Jenkins, 
Eunice Calkin, Lucia Haasz, Lucy Allen, Nancy Merrifield, 
Mary Abel, Elizabeth Nichols, Lucretia McDougal, Charlotte 
Roscoe, Electa Wescott, Lois Ruscoe, Almira Abel, Almira 
Wescott, Mary Blanchard, Rebecca Otis, Mary Ann Ware, 
Lucena Blood, Mary Matthews, Urana Calkin, Sally Bishop, 
Polly Nichols, Huidah Kellogg, Emily C. Cuyler, Evalena 
Wilder, Sarah Ann Williams, Lucinda Knox, Mary Brownson, 
Caroline Johnson, Elizabeth Brady, Lucy M. Livingston, 
Lovina Morse, Nancy Morse, Charlotte C. Gross, Ann M, 
Coats, Theodocia Knox, A. Stanton, J. Kneeland, Matilda 
Allen. 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOW NT 356 

Record of this organization, names, etc., is on file in the 
Essex Count}' Clerk's Ofiice. 

In the winter and early spring of 1837 measures were taken 
to bring about the erection of a meeting house for Baptists in 
Elizabethtown village. In March, 1837, nearly an acre of 
ground just north of Nathan Perry's residence on the Plain 
was covered with timber to be used in the construction of the 
building. During the following summer people generally as- 
sembled and witnessed the erection of the Baptist Church 
frame, Carleton Cole superintending its erection. This was 
the fiirst church building erected in Elizabethtown and it con- 
tained a generous supply of good timber. The trustees of the 
Baptist Church in 1837 were Asa Farnsworth, Nathan Perry, 
Oliver Person, David Judd, Rowland Nichols, Austin L. 
Kibby. 

May 11, 1837, Robert Wilson Livingston married Lucy 
Maria Reynolds. Their children were Robert L. Livingston who 
became a State Senator from the Plainfield, N. J., district, A. 
C. H. Livingston who so long owned the Elizabethtown Post, 
Mary Livingston who became the first wife of Hon, Rowland 
Case Kellogg, Lucy Livingston who married DeWitt Stafi'ord 
and James L. Livingston who married a daughter of Colonel 
Forsyth and who is now a Vice-President of the Atlantic 
Marine Insurance Company, New York City. 

In the year 1837 Henry Ransom Noble married Cornelia 
Gould of Essex. Their children were Charles Henry Noble 
who married Lavinia Felicia de Hass, a Virginia lady, and 
lives on the old Noble homestead, Mary Noble who married 
Richard Lockhart Hand and John Gould Noble, now a New 
York Cit}' physician of high standing. 

In the latter 30s the forge, previously built by Frederick 

Haasz at The Kingdom on the Black River, had fallen into the 

(hands of the Nobles and Henry R. Noble continued to operate 



357 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

it until his death in 1863. Henry R. Noble was fatally injarert 
by being thrown out of a wagon while driving home from- 
Kingdom forge July 4, 1863. He lived several weeks but 
never realized jinytbiug after the accident. 

In the year 1837 Captain John Calkin, or "Col. John," as 
he was locally referred to, left Elizabeth town, going with the 
greater portion of his family to Lower Sandusky (later called 
Freeniont) Ohio, where he remained one year, after which he 
went on to Johnson County, Iowa, where he lived up to within 
one year of his death. Lucy Kellogg Calkin, his wife, died in 
1847. Later he married Mahala Harlan. The last year of his 
life was passed in Washington County, Iowa, where he died June 
18, 1874. Brave, capable military officer and long time public 
servant tliough he was, John Calkin did not, as is popularly 
supposed, really come to be Colonel. On account of capable 
service in the militia he became Lieutenant Colonel, but never 
got to be Colonel, John Archibald's appellation "Great Colonel 
John, My Joe John," etc., to the contrary notwithstanding. 

The R aid on the State Arsenal in Elizabethtown, 
The Canadian rebellion, commonly called the Papineau War, 
broke out in December, 1837. On January 5, 1838, President 
Van Buren issued a proclamation of neutrality, warning citi- 
zens of the United States against taking sides in the contest 
or committing any unlawful acts. General Winfield Scott 
was ordered to assume military command on the border and 
the Militia of New York and Vermont was ordered out to guard 
the lines. Throughout this northern region there was much 
sympathy felt for the Canadian rebellionists and a scheme 
•was "hatched up" to aid the latter in their struggle. The 
scheme embraced a raid on the State Arsenal in Elizabeth- 
town village. One morning early in January, 1838, Hezekiah 
Barber, father of Major Barber, of Barber's Point, in the town 





CAPTAIN SAMUEL C. DWYER. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABJ2THT0WN 360 

o? Westport, was told by his workmen that some one had stolen 
his team of horses during the night. Hezekiah went to the 
barn apparently in a great flurry, but after seeing that his 
horses were gone, went back to the house and ate his break- 
fast, as though nothing had happened. Horace Barnes, (com- 
monly called "Hod*') had btirrowed the team, having had a 
secret understanding with Hezekiah, hence the latter's com- 
posure under what would ordinarily have been trying circum- 
stances. Jt seems that one night after people generally had 
gone to bed "Hod," Barnabas Myrick and others from West- 
port met John Archibald and Jonathan Post of Elizabeth- 
town and others in front of the State Arsenal and proceeded 
to raid, etc. There was a high board fence in front of the 
Arsenal but the raiders scaled it someway and got inside the 
Arsenal. They passed out the muskets which were loaded 
into Jonathan Post's famous sleigh box (painted green) and 
into a sleigh behind Hezekiah's team from Westport and away 
the drivers went with the stolen muskets up through Lewis 
Center and on through Poke-0-Moou-Shine. One of the teams 
stopped at the famous "Bosworth Stand," Bosworth being a 
brother-in-law of John Archibald, and the muskets were put 
in the barn and covered up with hay, to be found shortly af- 
terwards by William Whitman Boot and Henry Ransom Noble. 
This was indeed the irony of fate — John Archibald, employed 
by Henry R. Noble and working with William W. Root, act- 
ing as pilot for the raiders and using his brother-in-law's barn 
for a hiding place, only to be outwitted by his employer and 
fellow workman. How this outcome must have chagrined John 
Archibald ! 

The other team went on to Keeseville and across the Ausable 
River and thence westward by the road leading to Hallock 
Hill. When the old Taylor Hill school house was reached, 
probably about daylight, a halt was made. At least this is 



361 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

supposable, as the muskets, etc., were afterwards found bid- 
den in tbe Taylor Hill school house. The other teams which 
were to take the muskets on into Cauada failed to come,either 
because of President Van Bureu's proclamation or the guard- 
ing of the Canadian line and consequently the muskets re- 
mained in the school house until discovered and reclaimed b}" 
the State of New York.' A morning or two after the raid on 
the Arsenal, Hezekiah found his team back in the barn all 
right.'' The morning after the raid a pair of mittens were 
found in front of the Arsenal. Upon close examination it was 
found that Barnabas Myrick's name was written inside the 
mittens and hence his connection with the raid was established 
beyond any doubt. That same morning a piece of wood 
painted green, a small chip, was found in front of the Arsenal. 
A man put the chip in his pocket and the next time Jonathan 
Post drove down with his "green box sleigh" it was found that 
the chip exactly fitted in where a piece had been broken out. 

This circumstance pointed strongly to Jonathan and he al- 
lowed afterwards that he took part in the raid. 

Augustus C. Hand was Superintendent of the Arsenal at 
the time the raid was made. Edmund F. Williams was Colonel 
of the 37tli Regiment of infantry at that time but he was out 
of town. Steptoe Catlin was Lieutenant Colonel and he was 
also out of town. Willard F. Deming, Captain of our local 

1 This school house stood about one and a half miles west by north from Keeseville and 
perhaps twenty rods north of the barn now owned by Samuel Evans. In those days the 
farm was owned by Alvah Arnold and the school hou»e was sometimes called the Alvah 
Arnold school house. The school house stood on the north side just where the road bends to 
the west as it goes up the hill. When the new school house was built on the plains nearer 
Keeseville the old one was boujfht by Alvah Arnold and used by him many years as a repair 
shop and now serves Samuel Evans as a hog-house or granary. — Letter from J. W. Hark- 
ness, Jan. 2, 1905. 

2 Uncle John Jamss, now a man past 76 years of ajje, informs me that he was a boy living 
at Hezekiah Barber's at the time the team came up missing so mysteriously. He says "Hod" 
Barnes drove He7.ekiah*s team the night the raid was made and that the horses were found 
back in the barn all right a morning or two afterwards. 



HISTORY OF ELlZABETElTOVVN 36^ 

Company of Militia belongiog to the 37th, sent word to Lieu- 
tenant Alonzo McDonough Finney to coiiie down off Simouds 
Hiil and take command. However, Lieutenant Finney was 
it that time teaching school on Simonds Hill and could not 
well get away. Lieutenant Finney had held rank from July 
22, 1837, having been appointed by Governor William L. 
Marcy and having sworn in August 30th, 1837, before Ed- 
mund F. Williams, Col. of the 37th. 

It was at this time that William Whitman Root of Eliz- 
abethtown mounted a horse and carried a despatch to General 
Wool on the Canadian frontier. 

Of course the barn was locked after the horse was stolen. 
Men were put on guard nightly at the Arsenal, Levi DeWitt 
Brown, father of the author of Pleasant Valley, being one of 
those who slept there after the raid. 

Before the Canadian troubles were settled General Winfield 
Scott went north to Canada, passing through Westport, stop- 
ping at the hotel so long kept by Harry J. Person. General 
Scott's conveyance through Westport upon that wintry occa- 
sion was the Red Bird Line of stages previously established 
by Peter Comstock, after whom Comstocks in Washington 
County was named. 

Btirchard's Revival and the Organization of the First Society of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

It was in the autumn of 1838 that Jedediah Burchard con- 
ducted his famous revival services in the Elizabethtown Bap- 
tist Church. The building had but recently been completed 
at great cost and was a fit temple in which to hold such meet- 
ings. Burchard was, according to the testimony of those who 
heard him, "a preacher of great power." Ox teams drawing 
large loads of men, women and children came down the var- 



363 HISTORY OF El-IZABETHTOWN 

ious hills and moantaiu slopes of this eutire rej^ion. All were 
clatl in homespun garments and all were happy iu attending 
Burchard's meetings. The greatest interest was manifested, 
men and women spending the daytime persuading their neigh- 
bors who had not attended, to turn out and hear Burchard. 
One man named Kellogg residing in the Boquet Valley got 
so excited that he let his potatoes freeze in the ground. At 
tills time many were converted, including Mr. and Mrs. Harrj' 
H. Glidden. 

Organization of the First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

"At a meeting of the Male persons. Members of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church and those who statedly worship there- 
with and have formerly been Considered as belonging thereto, 
was held pursuant to due Notice thereof given according to 
the Statute in Such case Made and provided at the Court 
House in the Town of Elizabethtown the stated place of wor- 
ship of Said Church on the Twenty Seventh day of January, 
A. D., 1839. O. E. Spicer was Called to the Chair and Wash- 
ington Osgood was appointed Secretary. 

Resolved that we appoint Seven Trustees for the purpose of 
Incorporation pursuant to the Statute in such case Made and 
provided. 

Resolved that said Society or Body Corporate should be 
known and Denominated the first Society of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in Elizabethtown and Vicinity. 

Resolved that Washington Osgood, Horace W. Parkill, 
Robert Thompson, Jacob Allen, Horatio Deming, Winchester 
Blood and Abial H. Smith be and they were there Duly 
Elected to serve as trustees for Said Society and they and their 
successors in office to be known by the name of first Society 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Elizabethtown and 
Vicinity. 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 364 

Besolved that the Trustees Draw for the number of Years 
that they Shall Serve said Society as Trustees and the follow- 
ing was the Result. H. W. Parkhill and Washington Osgood, 
two Years Each, Robert Thompson, Jacob Allen, three Years 
Each, Winchester Blood, Four Years and Horatio Deming and 
Abial H. Smith, one Year Each. 

At a Meeting of the Trustees of the Methodist E. Church in 
E'Town and Vicinity held at the Court House in Said Town 
on the 9th day of December, A. D., 1839. 

Bro. O. G-regg was called to the chair and H. W. Parkill was 
appointed Secretary. 

Resolved first that we Build a Church. 

Second — Resolved that we appoint three persons as Build- 
ing Committee. Robert Thompson, Washington Osgood and 
Lucius Bishop were then and there Duly appointed Such 
Committee. 

Third, Resolved that the Committee and Trustees proceed 
Immediately and Make preparations to Build as Soon as prac- 
ticable an Entirely Wood Meeting House with a Basement 
Story and that to be seven feet in the Clear and Constructed 
on the Same plan as near as practicable with the Drafts that 
the Committee have obtained of Chamberlain and Wilson 
taken from the Church at Lower Jay Village, the size of the 
House to be determined by the trustees and Building Com- 
mittee. 

Fourth, Resolved that the Trustees proceed to obtain a Cite 
for said Church. 

Fifth, Resolved that the Cite be on the Level of the Land 
opposite of the Brick School House in Said Town of E'Town." 

It may well be stated here that Mrs. Ann Osgood, widow of 
Solomon Washington Osgood, is the only charter member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church now living, she being in the 
92d year of her age. 



365 HIS'TORY Of £:li2;ajbethtown 

Captain John Lobdell served as Supervisor of ElizaWcfi- 
town in 1839 and this is evidence that he had ere this moved 
down off the hill to what is now Meigsville, where he resided 
till 1848. 

In the month of March, 1839, Simeon Eueeland and all his 
family, excepting his oldest son Ozias H., moved from Charles- 
town, Montgomery County, N. Y., to Elizabeth town, coming 1 
by way of Chester, Schroon and North Hudson. Simeon 
Kneeland's wife was Prudence Cady. Their children were 
Oz^ias H., Cady, Benjamin, Loviua, Huldah, Abner and Pru- 
dence. Simeon Kneeland kept a wayside inn on the Plain, in 
the office of which hung the following quaint sign : 

Let my care be no man's sorrow, 
Pay to-day a^nd trust to-mcrrow. 

Simeon Kneeland lived in Elizabethtown only five years, 
selling the Plain property, (Cobble Hill Golf Ground, etc.,) to 
Augustus C. Hand February 27, 1844. Simeon Kneeland's 
wife died Jan. 3, 1843, and after selling out here he went west. 
On his return from the west he died at Lyons, Wayne County. 
N. Yi, and there his mortal remains were buried. 

In 1839 Colonel Edmund F. Williaais of Elizabethtown wag 
elected Essex County Clerk. 

Henry Ransom Noble served as Elizabethtowu's Super- 
visor in 1840 and 1841. 

September 10, 1840, the death of Deacon Levi Brown oc- 
curred at his home on Water Street. A big delegation on the 
way to the Great Whig Convention at Keeseville were march- 
ing the streets of Elizabethtown when Col. Williams announced 
the death of the veteran of the Battle of Plattsburgh and im- 
mediately the drums were muffled. Deacon Brown was so 
badly deafened at the Battle of Plattsburgh that his hearing 
was impaired and he afterwards when attending church had a 
seat in the pulpit with the preacher to the end that he might 



HISTORY OP ELIZA BETH TOWN 366 

liear better. He drew a pension as a veteran of the War o^ 
1812 from the year 1834, his pension certificate being signed 
b}' John Forsyth, acting Secretary of War. The mortal re- 
mains of Deacon Levi Brown were buried in the cemetery at 
Lewis Center. 

May 3, 1841, the Barrett brothers, Amos and Charles (twins) 
arrived in Elizabethtown. They were then 21 years of age 
and full of business. They fixed over the old grist-mill block, 
which had been used as a store for some 3'ears and put in a 
stock of goods. The Barrett brothers constituted quite a factor 
in Elizabethtown business and social life until the spring of 
1848 when Charles Barrett died, aged only 28 years. Amos 
Barrett sold out shortly after the death of his brother and 
went to California where he died while still a young man, com- 
paratively speaking. 

May 4, 1841, Levi DeWitt Brown married Lovina Kneeland, 
Rev. C. C. Stevens performing the ceremony. 

In 1842 Dr. Safford Eddy Hale arrived in Elizabethtown, 
coming here from Chelsea, Vt. Dr. Hale first lived on Maple 
Street, where the E. E. Wakefield hardware store stands. 
Shortly, however. Dr. Hale moved to Water Street. Dr. Hale's 
wife was Elizabeth Churchill. Their children were Frederick 
C. Hale, now a well-known Chicago attorney. Miss Clara 
Hale, who occupies the homestead on Water Street, and 
Joseph C. Hale, a railroad engineer operating in Colorado. 

Elizabethtown's Supervisor from 1842 to 1845, inclusive, 
was Orlando Kellogg. 

March 17, 1843, James Bishop was hung in the Essex County 
jail yard for the killing of his wife at Port Kent. "Jim." 
Bishop was a stone mason by trade and during his trial was 
defended by Augustus C. Hand, Gardner Stow, District At- 
torney, conducting the prosecution. The day before the exe- 
cution Mrs. Nancy Wall, wife of William Wall, made an old 



m fctlSTOKY OF ELlZABETHTOWrN 

fashioned English blood pudding for the condemned man. 
After Mrs. Wall had tasted of the pudding in the presence of 
the jail authorities, Bishop was allowed to partake of the treat. 
The scaffold was arranged so that the body went up suddenly 
after the cutting of a rope, the cutting being done by Alansou 
Wilder, then Sheriff of Esses County. 

Bishop's corpse was turned over to Dr. Safford E. Hale who 
separated the flesh from the bones, putting the skeleton to- 
gether and preserving it, 

Joseph Francis Durand died April 10, 1843, his remains be- 
ing buried in the Boquet Valley cemetery. He was 78 years 
of age at the time of his death and had served as a soldier 
during the American Revolution. The following letter will be 
read with interest by his numerous descendants in Elizabeth- 
town and throughout the west r 

"Department of the Interior, 

BUREAU OF pensions, 

Washington, D. C, 
March 2, 1898. 
Madam: — Keplying to your request for information concern- 
ing Joseph Durand, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you 
are advised that he made application for pension on Septem- 
ber 28, 1832, at which time he was 68 years of age and resid- 
ing at EHzabethtown, N. Y., and his pension was allowed for 
six months actual service as a private in the New York troops, 
Revolutionary War ; a part of the time he served under Capt. 
Lewis and Col. Canfield. He enlisted at Bedford, N. Y. 

Very respectfully, 
Mrs. a. B. HEWITT, H.' CLAY EVANS, 

Lake Forest, 111. Commissioner." 

Mrs. Hewitt is a descendant of Calvin Durand. 




JAY COOKE, 
"World Famed Financier, 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 3^0 

In 1842 and 1843 Cabot Clark was engaged fixing over the 
Perry house on the Plain. About the same time or a little 
later Hand & Marks were serving as a committee to fix over 
the Court House. They raised the Court House to a two story 
building. The Court House remained, substantially, as Hand 
& Marks arranged it till 1880. 

At this time Cabot Clark vvas superintending carpenter 
work. The Livermores, brothers of Mrs. Cabot Clark, came 
here from Hinesburgh, Vt., to work as masons. 

In September, 1844, a great Whig Convention was held in 
Ehzabethtown. The Court House had just been complete<l 
and a great demonstration was held on the Common in front 
of it. Colonel Edmund F. Williams, who was still Essex 
County Clerk, was one of the master spirits of that occasion. 
Milo Durand played the tenor drum, while William Wall, who 
had served as fifer under Wellington at Waterloo, manipula- 
ted the fife. Old men say "Uncle Billie" played the fife so 
loud upon that occasion that it was heard a mile away. 

According to all accounts ginger bread, doughnuts and noise 
were plenty upon that occasion and a large portion of the 
population of Essex County lunched in Elizabethtown that 
day, the provision for delegates, etc., having been cooked up 
by the fair Whig women. 

At this period in the history of Elizabethtown the hamlet 
named New Russia by Col. Edmund F. Williams in 1845 was 
a lively place. In addition to the old time forge there were 
two saw-mills, one on the east and one on the west side of the 
Boquet River, both owned by Lucius Bishop. There was also 
a grist-mill and a whiskey distillery owned by Lucius Bishop, 
these standing on the west side of the river. Rum from maple 
sugar was made in the Bishop distillery. 

Speaking of Lucius Bishop's operations at New Russia his 
son, Dr. Midas E. Bishop, says in a letter to the author of 



371 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Pleasant Valley : "When my father sole] out to Sherwood & 
Co. in 1845 it (the old distillery building) was moved ami made 
into a store and afterwards when a large store was bnilt on 
the main road, it was rebuilt for a dwelling house. When my 
father came to man's estate he took upon himself the care 
of his old father, built a grist-mill with threerunofslouesin it. 
It was interesting to hear him tell of the ditScnlties he had in 
doing it. Two of the sets of stones were from Mt. Discovery 
in Lewis and it took a month's work for a man to cut and shape 
one set. One set of stones, French burr, ground wheat. * 
* * He learned the blacksmith trade and did all the iron 
work for the grist-mill that a blacksmith could do and in those 
days there were no machine shops to do it and all the small 
shafting was made by a blacksmith. The heavy shafting was 
of wood with wrought iron bearings." 

Lucius Bishop was twice married, his first wife being Relief 
Flagg. His second wife was Anne Sheldon, by whom were born 
the following children ; Miletus, Lucy Anne, Boliver, Annette, 
Midas Elijah, Amy Anne, Bainbridge, Thetis. Of this large 
family only two are now living. Dr. Midas E. Bishop of 
South Haven, Mich., and Thetis, now Mrs. Elbert H. Putnam 
of Bennington, Vt. 

In 1843 Robert Safiford Hale arrived in Elizabethtown and 
at once took high rank in town and county affairs. In 1849 
he married Lovina Sibley Stone, daughter of Captain Jere- 
miah Stone. Their children were Abby Laura, Harry, Mary 
Eddv, Elizabeth Vashti and Marcia Ellen. Abbv Laura Hale 
died" April 29, 1888. Elizabeth Vashti Hale married Prof. 
Robert P. Keep and lives (a widow) at Farmington, Conn. 
Harry Hale Carried Cora M. Putnam, youngest daughter of 
Herbert Asa Putnam, and lives in Elizabethtown. Mary 
Eddy Hale and Marcia Ellen Hale occupy the house into 
which their father moved in 1849, the building having since 
been materially repaired and enlarged. 

In 1845 Basil Bishop sold his Split Rock forge property to 
the W3'man brothers from Schroon and went to Marquette, 
Mich., where he lived 20 years, dying in September, 1865. 

The Wyman brothers — Charles, George and Darius — oper- 
ated the forge at Split Rock a few years and then went to 



HISTORY OF ELI2ABETE1T0WN 372 

Ohio find settled first ou farms near Cleveland and from there 
some of them went to Michigan. 

Jacob Southwell of Elizabethtown died in 1845, being bur- 
ried in the Black River Cemetery. 

Nov. 5. 1846, several ladies met at the residence of Mrs. H. 
K. Noble in Elizabethtown village and organized a "Sewing 
Circle." This Society met every Thursday at 2 P. M. to sew, 
knit or engage in any work to advance its interests, the object 
being to aid in benevolent purposes. 

Following names of Members of the Elizabethtown "Sewing 
Circle" are taken from preserved records, thanks to Mrs. 
Richard L. Hand : Mrs. R. W. Livingston, Mrs. P. Revnolds, 
Mrs. Ira Marks, Mrs. S. Hinckley, Mrs. S. E. Hale, Miss M. 

E. Churchill, Mrs. J. Stone, Miss L. Stone, Miss C. Judd, Mrs. 
D. Judd, Miss S. Brydia, Mrs. E. Marks, Mrs. C. Clark, Miss 

F. Morse, Mrs. A. Finney, Mrs. A. C. Hand, Mrs. E. F. Wil- 
liams, Mrs. A. Evans, Mrs. H. R. Noble, Mrs. G. H. Wilson 
Mrs. G. S. Nicholson, Miss Sherman, Miss T. Ruggles, S. 
Nichols, Mrs. M. A.Furman, Mrs. L. D. Brown, Miss H. Knee- 
land, Mrs. C. H. Brainard, Miss S. Bishop, Mrs. E. S. Cuyler, 
Miss C. G. Parkin, Mrs. O. Kellogg, Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Hodg- 
kins. 

The young gentlemen who joined this "Sewing Circle" were 
Amos Barrett, Charles Barrett, A. P. Brainard, W. S. Judd, 
William Higby, Edward S. Cuyler, William Root, Byron Pond, 
T. H. Richards, Robert S. Hale, F. C. Brainard, Charles Wil- 
liams, CHfford A. Hand, Edmund C. Williams, A. M. Finney, 

G. S. Nicholson, L. D. I3rown. 

Myron Durand served as Elizabethtown's Supervisor in 1846 
and 1847. 

In 1847 Alonzo McD. Finney embarked in the mercantile 
business. He put a stock of groceries, dry goods, etc., into 
the Marks store, so-called. This store stood where the Lam- 
son house now stands. At this time Ira Marks lived in a 
house which has since been built on to and made over into 
what is now the E. E. Wakefield hardware store. It was 
shortly after this that Ira Marks built the substantial house 
now owned and occupied by Mrs. Sarah K. Livingston, widow 
of the late A. C. H. Livingston. 



873 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

In the wiuter of 1847 and 1848 the canal was dug from the 
dam on the Boquet River just east of Slizabethtown villaoje to 
the Valley Forgre, around which there had chistered a little 
settlenaeut. The Whallou & Judd store and the old "board- 
ing house" still stand, all the other buildings of the Valley 
Forge settlement having succumbed to the mutations of time. 
Col. Edmund F. Williams had superintended the construction 
of the Valley Forge, a man named Theodore Olcott furnishing 
the funds. 

Shortly after the erection of the Valley Forge the Separator 
building was erected on the Ladd Brook, just above Fis'ier 
Bridge, so-called. Barney Mee superintended the construc- 
tion of the Separator, in which a 40 ft. overshot wheel was ar- 
ranged, the water coming in a cylindrical wooden flume from 
a point in the brook a few rods below what is now the 
entrance to "Garondah." This large building was put up at 
a cost of $7,000 for the purpose of separating ore brought from 
the Steele bed a short distance above it. However, it proved 
to be one of the most complete failures in the history of Eliz- 
abethtowu, there not being water enough to run the big wheel, 
so but little ore was ever separated. And thus the big building 
with its mammoth wheel (an attractive place for boys) stood 
for 30 years, bearing mute but indisputable witness to the folly 
of its progenitors, of whom William S. Judd was foremost.' 

In the year 1848 there appeared a new and stirring figure in 
Elizabethtown business affairs. Reference is here made to 
Preston Singletary Whitcomb, who was born Nov. 19, 1819, in 
New Hampshire, and came to Keeseville in 1826. In 1847 he 

I After the dam was built just b jlow whsre the Little t?')quet empties into the Boquet, the 
farmers in the B )quet Valley signer! papers that no action would be brought a-rain-rit Whal- 
lon & Ju<Ul in case of d;ima,2fe from settirif^ back and overflowinsr of water. The wives of 
the farmers of course signed the papers and received their reward. The reward consi"5ted of 
a new dress (pong-ee) for each. Mrs. Lovna (Knecland) Brown, motlier of the author of 
Pleasant Valley, is now the onl<' woman livin;< who receivi-.d a dress from the new Whallon 
tfc Judd store upon that occasion. 



HISTORY OP ELIZABETHTOWN 374 

■was iu Willsboro actiug as .•ig'^Mjt for t]ie Kingslands. At the 
age of 29, a man of fine physique and distinguished bearing, 
be arrived at New Russia and for about three years was en- 
gaged in business there, Oliver D. Peabody being associated 
with hiiu, the firm name being P. S. Whitcomb & Co. Mr. 
Whitcomb built tiie store still standing at New Russia and 
also built over the grist-mill. He eventually sold out to David 
W. Morhous, whose wife was Mai-y Putnam, sister of Herbert 
Asa Putnam. Mr. Whitcomb went from New Russia back to 
Keeseville, where he still resides, being remarkably well pre- 
served for one in his 86th year. Mrs. P. S. Whitcomb died in 
1873 and for 32 years Mr. Whitcomb has continued along the 
journey of life alone, having no relatives in Northern New 
York. He is one of the pioneers whose acquaintance and 
friendship the author of Pleasant Valley appreciates and en- 
j'\vs. 

At this time Orlando Kellogg was iu Congress serving his 
constituents faithfully and capably and forming that strong 
friendship with Abraham Lincoln which lasted till the assas- 
sination of the latter in April, 1865. The children of Orlando 
Kellogg and Polly Woodruff, his wife, were Cornelia A., Or- 
lando, Sarah, Rowland Case, Robert Hale, Rosa, who died 
young, William Roger, and Mary, who married Adelbert W. 
Boyuton, the well-known Keeseville lawyer. 

David Judd served as Elizabethtown's Supervisor iu 1848. 

In 1848 John E. McVine of Elizabethtown was elected Essex 
County Judge and at the same time Dr. Safford E. Hale be- 
came Essex County Treasurer. 

In 1848 George 8. Nicholson of Elizabethtown was elected 
Essex County Clerk. George S. Nicholson's wife was Louisa 
Drowne. Their children were George Henry, Stella M., Wal- 
ter N., Mary L., Katharine K., John Drowne, Frank H., Sarah 
Frances, Charles, Lynn J., Matthew H., and Robert H. Of 



375 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

this large family only four are now living, Mrs, Mary L^ 
Rawson of Port Eichmond, N. Y,, John Drowne Nicholson, 
Esq., Postmaster of Elizabethtown, Mrs. Lynn J. Fuller and 
Miss Sarah Frances Nicholson of Los Angeles, Cal. 

In 1848 Jesse Gay and Jonathan Tarbell were in Eliz- 
abethtown. Just when these men came here I am unable to 
state. John Geary, King of the Irish, was also a resident of 
Elizabethtown village in 1848. And it may be added here 
that Matthew Hale, brother of Safford Eddy and Robert Saf- 
ford Hale, arrived here shortly after 1848. 

In 1849 Elizabethtown's Supervisor was Levi DeWitt Brown, 

The Elizabethtow^n and Westpoft Plank Road Company, 

It has been stated on the pages of history that a plank 
road was built from Westport to Elizabethtown in 1845. This 
statement is incorrect, as the meeting to organize the Eliz- 
abethtown and Westport Plank Road Company was held Oc- 
tober 30, 1849, at the inn of David Judd in Elizabethtown, 
just a little south of the Maplewood Inn of to-day. Accord- 
ing to the original papers on file in the law office of the late 
Judge Byron Pond, Deacon Harry Glidden acted as Chair- 
man of that meeting and Robert S. Hale served as Secretary. 
Articles of Association were filed in Albany February 15, 
1850. The Directors were David Judd (President) James S. 
Whallon, William D. Holcomb and Brewster M. Hodskins. 
The stock was limited to $13,000, 260 shares of $50 each. 
Upon the organization of the Co. Byron Pond was elected 
Secretary, which position he held continuously till his death, 
over half a century. 

The following list of stockholders, showing number of 
shares held by each, will be of interest to many of the present 
generation : 

A. C. Hand 20, David Judd 20, Ira Marks 10, Orlando Kel- 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN '376 

logg 5, George W. Phelps 2, W. E. Marshall 2, S. E. Hale 2, 
Charles A Wakefield 2, P. S. Whitcorab & Co. 10, S. W. Smith 
2, J. & J. H. Sanders 2, Lucius Bishop 2, H. S. Deming 2, E. 
Lobdell 2, W. S. Furman 2, Leander Abel 2, Marcus Storrs 2, 
N. H. Person 2, Glidden & Partridge 4, E. S. Hale 2, G. W. 
Rice 2, E, C. Williams 2, K Nichols 2, J. A. Woodruff 2, 
Whallon & Judd 20, B. M. Hodskius 8, H. R. Noble 10, F. H. 
Cutting 6, R. A. Loveland 1, W. D. Holcomb 1, Jas. W. Eddy 
2, D. L. Allen 5, Jesse Sanders 2, A. B. Mack 2, H. J. Person 
5, J. H. Low 2, Miles M'F. Sawyer 2, Alembert Pond 2, Byron 
Pond 2, George S. Nicholson 4, A. H. Wilder 1, L. D. Brown 4. 

A list of those "not yet paid up" included D. Clark 1, C. B. 
Hatch 2, H. Pierce 1, J. Post 2, W. F. Deming 1. 

The round wood seal of the Company was made by Alonzo 
MeD. Finney and is still iu existence. 

The plank road was actually built in the spring and sum- 
mer of 1850. P. S. Whitcomb & Co. furnished hemlock plank 
for a mile of the road, hauling them from their New Russia 
saw-mill. 

Deacon Harry Glidden also furnished some plank, the first 
sawed at his new mill, erected on or near the site of the old 
mill built by Robards Rice in early days. 

Henry R. Noble also furnished over $500 worth of plank 
used in the construction of this road. 

There were two toll-gates on the Elizabethtown and West- 
port Plank Road Company line, one standing near Elizabeth- 
town village, where Robert Dougan now lives, and one near 
where the D. & H. R. R. now crosses the highway. 

This plank road was a great improvement and while the 
planks were new worked well but eventually the road was 
turnpiked again, one of the toll-gates being thrown up. 

Another paper was commenced at Elizabethtown, in Jan. 
1849, by D. Turner, and removed to Keeseville in about four 



377 HISTORY OP ELlZABETHTOWN 

mouths. — Footnote on page 297, Gazetteer of the State of New 
York by J. H. French. Eicharil Lockhart Hand informs me 
that the paper referred to in the Gazetteer was printed in the 
second story of a house which stood until 1887 just south of 
where the Judge Byron Pond hiw office stands. Mr. Hand 
siija he remembers going to the printing office one day to 
get a copy of the paper for his father and that it was quite a 
treat for a boy 10 years old to see the workings of a country 
printing office. 

David Turner was a native of England, his wife being Eliza 
Jane Cameron of Keeseville. Their children were Ross Sterl- 
ing, born in Westport June 29, 1847, Charles B. K, born in 
Keeseville February 23, 1850, Mathias Guy, born at Rouses 
Point July 8, 1853, Byron Pond, born at Rouses Point Janu- 
ary 27, 1855, Jasper Curtis, born in Elizabethtown May 21, 
1859, Cornelia Melvina born in Burlington, Vt., August 9, 1861 ^ 
Lewis McKenzie, born in Alexandria, Va., in 1863. 

Ross Sterling Turner of Boston, Mass., is now one of the 
best known American artists. Byron Pond Turner is con- 
nected with the Civil Service Commission at Washiugton,D.C. 

July 25, 1848, Abijah Perry made out a list of the ordnance, 
ammunition and all other property of the State of New York 
entrusted to his keeping, presumptive evidence of his appoint- 
ment to be superintendent of the Arsenal. The list included 
1130 American muskets, a lot of pistols, rifles, swords, scab- 
bards, knap sacks, bayonets, powder kegs, a cannon, etc., etc. 
He was the last man in charge of the Arsenal and two years 
after his appointment the muskets were auctioned off, Mr, 
Perry acting as auctioneer. After selling all the guns for $1 
a piece that could be sold for that price, a lot were sold for 50 
cts. each and finally the price dropped to 25 cts. and then 
every boy in town got a gun. These were all flint locks and 
for the next few years Captain Jeremiah Stone was kept busy 




RICHARD LOCKHART HAND, 
President of tlie New York State Bar Association. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 380 

fixing them over into cap lock guns. The Arsenal building 
and ground was purchased by Ira Marks. It has since been 
occupied.by AlmonStevens, John Simmons, John Gowett, Vinal 
Denton and Ed. Longware, present occupant. The brick 
walls of the building are 18 inches thick. Of course the tak- 
ing down of the high board fence and various improvements 
made have changed the appearance of the place materially 
during the past 50 years. 

The Essex County Agricultural Society was organized in 
1849, the first Fair being in Keeseville. From 1850 to 1865 
the annual Fair was held on the eastern side of the Plain in 
Elizabethtown village. Since 1865 the annual Fair has been 
held in Westport. 

The year 1850 must have been a busy one in Elizabethtown. 
During this year Judge Augustus C. Hand and family moved 
into the new brick house, now the home of his son Richard 
Lockhart Hand. Ira Marks completed his new house and 
Milo Durand built the fine farm house which to-day adorns 
"Durand Farm" and shelters summer sojourners from all parts 
of the country, the new Congregational Church (now the front 
part of the Village Hall) was completed, being dedicated in 
July, 1850. The last named edifice stood on the corner just 
across the street from the old Arsenal building until 1888, 
when it was moved to its present location to give place to the 
new stone church, one of the most artistic buildings in North- 
ern New York. The Valley Forge (five fires) was running full 
blast, P. S. Whitcomb & Co. were booming at New Russia, 
Guy Meigs was getting into gear in the little hamlet on the 
Black River which has since been called Meigsville, being 
named in honor of the active operator of the early 50s. Guy 
Meigs was a son of Captain Luther Meigs (War of 1812) of 
Highgate, Vt., and was a pioneer to California in 1849. His 
wife was Lavina Walbridge, of P. Q. For a few years Guy 



381 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Meigs did ao extensive iron and lumber business at Meigsville, 
going west again about 1855. He died in 1885. Guy Meigs 
was a brother of Captain Henry Benjamin Meigs of Baltimore, 
Md., author of the Meigs Genealogy, a book of nearly 400 
pages. 

The building of the new plank road and the increase of ac- 
tivity incident thereto is well remembered by old residents of 
both Elizabethtowu and Westport. Then too the Esses 
County Fair made its appearance in Elizabethtowu in 1850, at 
which time and place John Brown, the great abolitionist, ap- 
peared from the wilds of North Elba (the town having been 
set off from Keene in 1849) with "a number of very choice and 
beautiful Devons." 

Amos Barrett and William Higby left Elizabethtowu in 1850, 
going to California ere the echoes of the "gold cry" had 
scarcely died away. Poor Amos Barrett died by his own hand 
after a few years residence in California. And thus while the 
mortal remains of his twin brother Charles rest in our old 
cemetery here, the body of Amos became a part of the soil of 
the great Pacific State to which he emigrated with so much 
hope. 

William Higby rose rapidly in California, finally going to 
Washington, D. C, as Congressman. He died at Santa Rosa, 
Cal., in the latter 80s. 

William Whitman Root and George S. Nicholson, under 
the firm name of Root & Nicholson, succeeded Amos Barrett 
in the old grist-mill block in 1850, enlarging the store to double 
its former capacity. In the early 508 the Post Office was kept 
in this block, Mr. Root being Postmaster. 

In the spring of 1851 the Peak sisters gave an entertain- 
ment in the Baptist Church. Shortly afterwards several per- 
sons in Elizabethtowu and vicinity came down with small pox, 
among the number being Harry Jones, who was taken to an 



HISTORY OF ELI2ABETHT0WN 382 

improvised pest house which stood in the lot a few rods north- 
east of Fisher Bridge. At this time the road went up over 
the hill where the "Garondah" garden is now located. 

In October, 1851, The Elizabethtown Post was started by 
Robert Wilson Livingston and Sewell Sergeant, both of whom 
had been students in Middlebury College. Strangely enough 
both of these men had taught school in Elizabethtown and 
both had studied law in Judge Augustus C. Hand's office. The 
Post started its career in what is now the H. A. Putiiam barn, 
which building then stood end to the road, being occupied for 
school purposes, offices, etc. Samuel C. Dwyer had his law 
office in this building and afterwards kept the Post Office in it. 
The Post had lots of advertising in 1851, the lawyers, mer- 
chants, hotel keepers, tailors, and even the blacksmiths, all 
carrying "Ads." The present home of The Post was 
erected 1857 and the paper has, with the exception of a few 
months in 1858, been issued weekly. Just before the civil war 
David Turner edited The Post. In the early 60s Richard L. 
Hand served as editor of The Post. In the 70s The Post was 
owned in turn by John Liberty and Alva Marvin Lewis. With 
these exceptions The Post has remained in the Livingston 
family, the late A. C. H. Livingston owning and editing it the 
last twenty years of his life. February 1, 1900, just after A. C. 
H. Livingston's death, George L. Brown became editor and 
manager, in which capacity he still serves. Alva Marvin Lewis 
is the nestor among "typos," having commenced in 1860. 
Charles H. Palmer is foreman, the other "typos" being Frank 
H. Durand, Earle A. McAuley and Virgil S. Clark. Fred E. 
Milholland, a graduate "typo," is foreman of the New York 
Tribune composing rooms. The Post is a Democratic paper 
and is widely read by "old timers." 

During the eventful year 1850 and also during 1851 Eliz- 
bethtown's Supervisor was another farmer — Jonathan Post — 



383 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

who lived ou his farm just north of New Russia, the same 
place to-day occupied by his daughter, Miss Adeline Post. 

In November, 1851, Elisha A. Adams of Wilmington was 
elected Essex County Clerk. He married a daughter of Major 
Reuben Sauford ofSanford's Battalion fame and brought a most 
interesting and eminently helpful family to Elizabethtown. 
His son Henry J. and daughters Mary, Annie and Hester 
were prominent socially and Mr. Adams and wife, being Meth- 
odists, were a great help to the poor struggling M. E. Society 
of that time. 

In 1852 John E. McVine was re-elected Essex County Judge. 

In 1852 Orlando Kellogg, though an ex-Congressman, served 
as Elizabethtown's Supervisor. 

Father Comstock died at his Lewis home Jan. 8, 1853. 

In 1853 Byron Pond served as Supervisor and the next year 
Alonzo McD. Finney ran ou a stump ticket and beat Colonel 
Edmund F. Williams for Supervisor. This was probably the 
most exciting contest for Supervisor ever known in the history 
of Elizabethtown and the defeat of Col. Williams who had so 
long been "it" not only in Elizabethtown but in Essex County, 
made him feel sore. In after years Col. Williams went down 
into the wilds of Minerva and founded a settlement, naming it 
"Aiden Lair," meaning a place for wild beasts. Aiden Lair 
Lodge now stands a few rods from the wildwood home of Col. 
Williams and the Sage cottages on Hewitt Lake are but a 
mile distant, the Superintendent of the latter being John S. 
James, an Elizabethtown man. 

In 1854 Hiram Putnam and sons took possession of the 
forge and saw-mill property at New Russia. Herbert Asa Put- 
nam went west but returned to New Russia in 1862, since which 
time the New Russia property has been in his hands. Elbert 
H. Putnam left New Russia in 1868 and now lives in Benning- 
ton, Vt., having a summer home — Caldron Fell — at New Russia 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 384 

where his wife aud daughters spend considerable time each 
year. 

In 1854 Levi DeWitt Brown and Charles Noble Williams 
conducted mercantile business in the Marks store, the former 
being Post Master aud keeping the Post OfiSce in that building. 

In 1855 William Simonds served as Elizabethtown's Super- 
visor. 

In 1854 the Methodist Church was erected, being dedicated 
in February, 1855. 

Miss Amelia M. Murray, Queen Victoria's Maid of Honor, 
arrived in Westport September 11, 1855, and joined Governor 
Seymour and niece (Miss Miller) at Elizabethtown early on 
the morning of September 12th. While in Elizabethtown she 
met Prof. Spencer F. Baird, the great ornithologist, who was 
staying here, studying birds, etc. Speaking of her departure 
from Elizabethtown with Governor Seymour and niece Miss 
Murray says on page 378 of her book — United States, Canada 
and Cuba : "We set off after making backwood arrangements 
and selecting kettles and pans. Tea, biscuits, lemons, porta- 
ble soup, and arrow-root went into small space ; these with 
trout and venison, will feed us nobly for a week." The late 
Samuel Hand accompanied Miss Murray and Governor Sey- 
mour on that "gipsy expedition" to Sarauac Lake and thence 
to the Raquette Lake region. 

September 30 and October 1, 1856, will always be remem- 
bered in Elizabethtown history. The rainfall of September 
30 so raised the streams of Elizabethtown that but few if any 
bridges of consequence were standing October 1. The Lock- 
w^ood barn, so-called, on Water Street, was carried away. Saw 
logs came down Water Street with terrific force, striking peo- 
ple and knocking them down. Mrs. Eunice Williams was 
nearly killed by being knocked down by a log while fleeing 
from her home which was entirely surrounded by water. John 



385 HISTOJRY OF ELlZAB^iTHTOWK 

Archibald was also hit by a loj^. The T. G. Lamson tiij-shop 
on Water Street was nearly rnined by the flood. 

A temporary bridge, a ladder arrangement, was thrown 
across the Little Boquet near where the iron bridge by Harry 
H. Nichols' store now spans that stream and while Matthew 
Hale and Miss Mary Churchill were crossing the hastily im- 
provised structure the latter became dizzy, the result being 
that she fell off into the raging stream. Miss Churchill was 
carried full^' twenty rods down the swollen stream. Several 
men, including Clifford A. Hand, plunged into the water in a 
vain attempt to rescue. Finally Abijah Perry ran way down 
stream to where the water was more shallow and jumped in 
just in time to catch Miss Churchill as she passed. Miss 
Churchill was taken to Judge Robert S. Hale's home a few 
rods away and there received the congratulations of numer- 
ous friends upon her narrow escape from drowning. How- 
ever, the marriage of Matthew Hale and Miss Ellen Hand took 
place at the Judge Augustus C. Hand home the evening of 
October 1st just as though nothing had previously occurred, 
Miss Churchill attending, and as has been well saitl, "if it had 
happened in the Scottish highlands, what a ballad would 
have been sung by some ancient bard to his harp that night." 

The freshet of 1856 swept through the whole town with the 
besom of destruction, doing great damage in the Boquet Valley, 
especially at and above New Russia. 

From a letter dated Oct. 5, 1856, written by Mrs. Safford E. 
Hale describing the effects of the flood the following lines are 
quoted : "No fire, which I have always dreaded so much, 
could have done half the mischief." 

General Sylvester Churchill, Inspector General of the 
United States army, visited Elizabethtown several times be- 
tween 1855 and his death in 1862. Gen. Churchill stopped 
with Dr. Safford E. Hale, Mrs. Hale and her sister Miss Mary 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 386 

Cimrchill being nieces of the Inspector General. Prior to this 
Captain Jeremiah Stone had invented a breech loading gun 
Avhich General Cimrchill pronounced both safe and serviceable. 
Kichard L. Hand has one of the first of tliese guns made by 
Captain Stone and there is every reason for believing that it 
was one of the first, if not the first bieech loading gun ever 
made in America. 

Elizahethtov.'n's Supervisor from 1856 to 1860, inclusive, was 
Oliver Abel, Jr. 

In 1856 Robert Safford Hale was elected Essex County 
Judge and continued to serve as such till Deo. 31, 1864, two 
four year terms. 

In 1858 Elisha A. Adams was elucted Sheriff of Essex 
County. 

April 3, 1858, John Archibald died, aged 66 years. His re- 
mains were buried in the old cemetery. 

February 21, 1859, the old Valley House burned and Wil- 
liam Simonds, who had been running the house since 1857, 
went across the river and kept hotel in the Williams block, 
which stood where the Post Office block now stands. 

During the summer of 1859 two of Elizabethtown's pioneers 
— Dr. Asa Post and Captain John Lobdell — died. Dr. Asa 
Post died July 24, 1859, aged 92 years, his mortal remains be- 
ing buried in the Boquet Valley cemetery. 

Captain John Lobdell moved on to a farm in the Boquet 
Valley in the spring of 1848 and there the sturdy old warrior 
died August 28, 1859, not only venerable in years but full of 
glory, going to his grave thoroughly respected and appreciated 
by all who knew him. The mortal remains of Captain John 
Lobdell were buried in the Black River cemetery. 

In 1859 and 1860 Root & Nicholson added a starch fac- 
tory to their business. The starch factor}- was just above 
the Rice grist-mill. Potatoes were taken there in great 



387 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

quantities bat the starch factory did not prove a winner and 
operations were discontinued in 1860. In 1861 Koot & Nich- 
olson went out of business and in 1862 Charles Noble Wil- 
liams moved into the old grist-mill block on the corner, where 
he remained, Essex County Treasury and all, until 1869, when 
he moved to his own new block across the street, where he 
continued in business until his death in the spring of 1905. 

In the early autumn of 1859 John Brown, the abolitionist, 
visited Elizabethtown for the last time, remaining over Sunday, 
attending services at the Baptist Church with Levi DeWitt 
Brown, whose guest he was upon that occasion. A few weeks 
later the fatal attempt was made at Harper's Ferry and on 
Dec. 2d, 1859, John Brown, having been convicted and duly 
sentenced to die, was hanged, the body afterwards being re- 
spectfully delivered to the tender care of Mrs. Brown and 
friends as had been promised by that distinguished Virginia 
Governor, Henry A. Wise. 

The mortal remains of John Brown were brought to New 
York, from thence up the Hudson River, taken to Vergeunes, 
Vt., and then brought across Lake Champlain to Barber's 
Point in the town of Westport and there furnished conveyance 
for North Elba. The cortege arrived in Elizabethtown at 6 
o'clock Tuesday evening, Dec. 6, 1859, going to the hotel 
which then stood on the site of the "Deer's Head Inn" of to- 
day. The hotel was then kept by Elisha A. Adams, at that 
time Sheriff of Esses County, and to-day living in extreme old 
age at Plattsburgh, N. Y. With the body came Mrs. Brown, 
Wendell Philips and Mr. McKim. The body of John Brown 
was taken to the old Court House and placed in the Court 
room. Four young men — Richard L. Hand, A . C. H. Living- 
ston, Orlando Kellogg and Henry J. Adams, "watched" with 
the body. At 4 o'clock Wednesday morning Henry J. Adams, 
son of Sheriff Adams and afterwards famous for bravery as a 




u 



X 



u 



u 



w 




AROD KENT DUDLEY. 



HISTORY Ot' ELIZABJETHTOWN 392 

Lieuteuaut. iu Captaiu Liviugston's Company, F, of the 118th 
Bea^'t, N. Y. Vols, iu the civil war, started for North Elba to 
get the people of that section ready to receive the body of 
John Brown, going on horseback and having a perilous pas- 
sage, as several bridges had been washed away by a recent 
storm. 

The citizens of Elizabeth town turned out en masse to meet 
and greet Wendell Phillips at the hotel. Many of our citizens 
went to North Elba to witness the burial of John Brown. 
Rev. Joshua Young, then stationed at Burlington, Yt., was the 
only minister at North Elba and officiated at the grave. Wen- 
dell Phillips delivered the oration, which as an oratorical 
effort, has no parallel iu America, with the possible exception 
of Webster's greatest speech. Standing by the open grave, 
the great hearted, finished scholar and all powerful orator gave 
his hearers one of the most impassioned orations ever listened 
to by mortal man, giving John Brown credit for having loos- 
ened the roots of the slave system, etc. 

In the autumn of 1860 the "Lincoln Wide Awakes" occupied 
a prominent place in Elizabethtovvn. This campaign company 
was drilled by Charles Henry Noble, recently home from a 
militarj^ school, and commanded part of the time by Captain 
Levi DeWitt Brown of militia and old "training days" fame. 
William Wall, the hero of the Battle of Waterloo, played the 
fife and it was real martial music too, even if he was old and 
bent over. 'Tis said that the "Lincoln Wide Awakes" went to 
Schroon Lake and to Plattsburgh, besides making minor ex- 
cursions. 

During the campaign of 1860 Charles Williams, son of Col. 
Edmund F. Williams, wrote letters to the Elizabethtown Post 
from the "Sunny South," predicting that in case of Lincoln's 
election war would follow, a prediction which proved strictly 
true. 



393 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

In November, 1860, Charles Noble Williams was elected 
Essex Count}' Treasurer, which office he filled continuously 
for 12 years, four 3 ^-ear terms. 



Civil War Period. 

Elizabethtown's Supervisor durinpj the eventful years 1861 
and 1862 was William Whitman Root. 

As soon as news of the firing upon Fort Sumpter reached 
Elizabethtown the tide of patriotic enthusiasm rose high 
among our grand old hills, resulting in the formation of Com- 
pany K which went into the 38th Regiment, being the last 
company accepted from New York by the United States gov- 
ernment under President Lincoln's first proclamation calling 
for 75,000 troops. 

Great stories are told of the pranks played by the "boys" 
of Company K just before they left Elizabethtown. "Fort 
Sumpter," as Wm. Simonds' hotel under the bank was called, 
was their headquarters. The daguerreotype establishment 
conducted by Thomas Felt, the first one in Elizabethtown, 
stood on Maple Street. One morning people were surprised 
to see that the picture taker had moved, his shop being in the 
river down by Aunt Flavia Morse's. Felt said his shop 
being down there might "make talk" and he wished the "boys" 
would move it back. Accoodingly the shop was moved back 
and the incident closed 

Company K left Elizabethtown May 28, 1861, under the 
leadership of Captain Samuel C. Dwyer, Elizabethtown's Dem- 
ocratic Postmaster. In accepting the flag presented by the 
ladies of EUzabethtown just before Company K left, Captain 
Dwyer said he would protect the emblem with his life if need 
be. Besides Captain Dwyer the other Elizabethtown men 



tttSTORY 01^ ELli^AfifctHfOWN 394 

wlirt marched away in Company K that day were A. C. Hand 
Livingatoii, Ensign, John H. Glidden and William H. Mitchell, 
Serg'ts, Abraham Griffin and Walter N. Nicholson, corporals, 
Georgfe P. Boutwell, William H. Cornwright, James A. Coburn, 
Marten B. Davis, John R. Hall, Orson Hall, Abraham S. Kelly, 
Francis LaDne, George Luck, Martin V. B. McDougal, Albert 
F. Mitchell, Loyal A. Merrill, John Owens, Henry N. Palmer, 
William Sharpe, Nelson Sheue, William Todd, Joseph Trom- 
bley, Loyal E. Wolcott, John Van Rensselaer Williams. 

Company K as part of the gallant 38th Volunteer 
Regiment under command of Colonel Jamef3 H. Hobart Watd, 
a veteran of the Mexican War, was mustered into service at 
New York Jane 3, 186L The 38th left the State of New 
York on the 16th of June and reached Washington on the 2l8t 
and was soon after attached to Wilcox's brigade and Heintzel- 
man's division. It advanced with the Union army to Bull 
Run on the 21st of July (Sunday and an uncommonly hot day 
without the effects of battle) and was engaged in that initial 
conflict, suffering a loss in killed, wounded and missing of 128 
men. It was distinguished by its heroic bearing. "During 
four hours it was in close action," says Watson, "and exposed 
for a long time to the deadly fire of artillery both in front and 
on its flanks. Such an exposure affords the severest test to 
the constancy and courage of fresh troops. The regiment 
bore the heat and dust with all the suffering of the early part 
of the engagement with the highest soldierly reslution and 
when confronted with the enemy, it firmly met and success- 
fully repulsed the attacks of his infantry. When compelled 
by the disasters of the day to abandon the field, the 38th re- 
treated in comparative order and returned to the encamping 
ground from which it had marched in the morning. Company 
K, in this action, was in charge of Lieutenant Smith and Lieu" 



395 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

tenaut Livingston, owing to the absence from sickness of Cap- 
tain Dwjer." 

Speaking of this battle, Martin V. B. McDougal says : "We 
went up to Bull Run on the double quick but after the battle 
went back on the Dead Run." 

In this initial battle of the greatest of civil wars recorded in 
the world's history, Company K was the only organization 
from Essex County engaged and on that hot July day the fol- 
lowing Elizabethtown men were wounded : James Alva Go- 
burn, taken prisoner, Henry Van Ornam, afterwards killed at 
Chancellorville, Loyal E. Wolcott, John H. Glidden and George 
P. Boutwell. 

Early in August, 18G1, Lieutenants Smith and Livingston 
resigned. 

Until the opening of the peninsula campaign the 38th was era- 
ployed in picket duty and the construction of field works for 
the defense of Washington. In August the regiment was as- 
signed to Gen. Howard's brigade. This brigade, known as the 
3d brigade, was successively commanded by Generals Sedg- 
wick, Kearney and Birney. Fpon the organization of the 
Army of the Potomac, the division to which this brigade was 
attached, constituted the first division of the 3d corps and 
these various designations were retained during the subse- 
quent services of the regiment. 

The 38th was at the siege of Yorktown and sustained in the 
operations before the works some slight casualties. 

Marten B. Davis was the first Union man to enter the works 
at Yorktown after the Confederates retreated and carried the 
news of the evacuation to General George B. McClellan, 

It may be stated that gallant old Company K of the 2d 
Scott Life Guards took part in the following engagements aside 
from those already named : Williamsburgh, Fair Oaks, Harri- 
son's Landing, Malvern Hill, 2d Bull Run, Chantilla, Freder- 



HISTORY OF ELTZABETHTOWN 396 

icksbnrgh, Cliancellorville, the Seven Days Fight, the skirmish 
at Fairfax Court House, Hanover Court House, Glendale, the 
Cedars and Seven Pines. 

At WilHarasburgh Conapany K bore itself conspicuously. 
In this eni^agement the <:;fallant Captain Sirauel C. Dwyer fell 
mortally wounded and died a few days afterwards at St. John's 
Hospital in Philadelphia. His body, claimed by the popular 
enthusiasm, was borne to the little mountain bordered village 
of Elizabethtown. In the box with his body came the flag 
made by the ladies of Elizabethtown, the emblem literally 
serving as his shroud. The body of the talented but ill-fated 
Captain Dwyer was buried in the old cemetery with imposing 
and touching obsequies and in after years an appropriate stone 
was placed over his grave. 

The local Grand Army Post formed in 1885 was named S. 
C. Dwyer Post in his honor. 

In the autumn of 1861 the following Elizabethtown men en- 
listed in Company C, 7th Vermont infantry : John Allen, 
Salem Denton, Alembert J. Dnrand, Henry Farmer, (died 
in Marine Hospital, New Orleans.) Chester Gates, Philemon 
Hanchett, George Jasper Miller, Edwin Shores and Charles 
Westcott. Charles Westcott died in a hospital near Fort 
Pickens on Santa Rosa Island. These men served in the 
Department of the Gulf and while they were not mixed up in 
heavy battles, they were nevertheless compelled to contend 
with malaria and yellow fever and to sleep in swamps, a serv- 
ice which proved far from desirable. 

Ezra Samuel Lewis of Elizabethtown went as a member of 
Company A, 77th N. Y. Vols., and witnessed cavalry charges 
and cannonading of which Marshal Ney, the great Napoleon's 
first choice, would have been proud. 

In the autumn of 1861 the following Elizabethtown men 
went into Compay H of the famous 5th New York cavalry : 



397 HISTORY OF ELlZABETriTOVVS' 

Benjamin Cros.s, Brooks Dwimiell, Edwani ^fcManns anct £^ 
C. Marshall. E. 0. Marshall died at Winchester, Va., Jan 6, 
1865. His body was brought home and given burial in Riv-* 
erside cemetery. 

The members of Compaiiiy H constituted material such as 
Cromwell had in his memorable Ironsides, having signed un- 
der the following : "We, the undersigned, hf3r6by agree to serve 
the government of the United States in the mounted service 
for three years, unless sooner discharged, subjecting ourselves 
to all the rules and regulations^governing troops in that branch 
of the regular service." 

Each Elizabethtown man in Company Hi rode a horse of his 
own selection. Company H was collected mainly through the 
zeal and earnestness of John Hammond of Crown Point, who 
was made Captain and rose to be Colonel. Hammond's cav-' 
airy, as the 5th New York is locally referred to, faced the 
music heroically, passing through an infinitude of toils, priva- 
tions, perils and triumphs. 

The 5th New York cavalry fought at Hanover, Pa., the fi^rst 
battle on free soil, was the first Union regiment that crossed 
the Rapidan in Grant's campaign, it received the first shock 
at the Wilderness and was the last to leave the field. 

Sis Elizabethtown men went in Compan}'' Gof the 96th New 
York Volunteers : George Brittell, Jeremiah Brittell, (son of 
George,) Patrick English, Alexander McDougal, Myron String- 
ham, George Wiggins. 

Speaking of this Company on page 251 of his History of 
Essex County Watson says : "The company for a time was in 
charge of Orderly Sergeant Patrick English and was ultimate- 
ly consolidated with Company C of Clinton County." 

Tlie 96th took part in Gainsville, 2d Bull Run, South Moun- 
tain, Antietam, Mine River, Fredericksburgh, Chancellorville, 
Gettysburgh, Wilderness, North Anna, Mattapony, Spottsyl- 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETH TOWN 398 

vania, Betliesda Church, Petersburgh, Weldon Rail Road, 
Chapel House, Hatcher's Ruu, Yorktown, Williamsburgh, Fair 
Oaks, Seven Days Battle, Blackwater, Kingston, Whitehall, 
Ooldsboro, Siege of Newborn, Drury's Farm, Port Walthall, 
Coal Harbor, Battery Harrison, Charles City Road. 

The following EHzabethtown men went to the front in Com- 
pany F, llSth New York Volunteers : 

Captain Robert W. Livingston, Henry J. Adams, Nathaniel 
P. Hoag, Sergeants, Harrison Allen, William A. Brittell, Har- 
vey D. Bronson, Chancy Denton, Lewis P. Daniels, Oscar J. 
Gates, William H. Hays, Jerome Hanchett, Frederick C. Hale, 
Macomb Kennedy, Rowland C. Kellogg. Lewis Morse, Samuel 
Mayo, Fayette Nicliols, Almou Post, Alfred E. Wakefield, Ira 
Wakefield, Jr., Joseph Wilson, Henry Westcott, Cyrus Wescott. 

The liSth was a fighting regiment and did a full measure of 
service. At Drury's Bluff Elizabethtowu's intrepid young 
Lieutenant Henry J. Adams, at the moment the llStii was 
driven back, seized a standard, and shouting the words so fa- 
miliar to the scenes of home and festive joyousuess : "Rally 
round the flag, boys," assisted in arresting the retreat and, 
says history, "essentially aided in rallying the troops." 

At Battery Harrison Lieuts. N. J. Gibbs and Henry J. 
Adams were the first men in the redoubts and promptly turned 
the captured guns upon the retreating enemy. General Butler 
afterwards said : "Lieuts. N. J. Gibbs and H. J. Adams of the 
same regiment, the first men in the redoubts, are commended 
for their presence of mind in turning the enemy's guns to bear 
upon them. They are respectfully recommended to his Excel- 
lency the Governor of New York for promotion." 

Captain Robert W. Livingston early in the action, while 
standing exposed, was struck down by a frightful wound in 
the arm and shoulder. Lieutenant W. H. Stevenson saw him 
fall and called on the men to bring in their Captain. Lieu- 




JUDGE FRANCIS A. SMITH« 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 402 

elevated position shouted enthusiastically : "Give 'em hell, 
boys, they're deceiving you." In that moment of recklessness 
he made a target of himself and fell, never to rise more. 

It was of Companies D, F and K that General Burnham's 
Adjutant General said : "There's a line the rebels can't break." 

The 118th took part at Suffolk, South Anna, Drury's Bluflf, 
Coal Harbor, Petersburgh, Crater, Fair Oaks and Battery 
Harrison,besides several skirmishes. The 118th was known 
as the Adirondack Regiment and was the object of Congress- 
man Orlando Kellogg's special attention. 

Calvin Denton served as a member of Company F, 83d 
New York Vols., losing his right arm at Spottsylvania Court 
House. 

Chauncey L. Denton, son of Alexander Denton, Charles 
Miller and George Morgan served in Company F, 192d New 
York Vols. 

Morton H. Davis and Martin Brownson served in Company 
E, 2d United States Sharp Shooters, the latter being Lieuten- 
ant. 

Nathan Mason served in Company H, 16th Regiment West 
Virginia Vols. His brother William Mason was killed at 2d 
Bull Run, but no one seems able to tell what Company and 
Regiment he belonged to, though he went from Elizabethtown. 

Several Elizabethtown men served in Company K, 4th New 
York Heavy Artillery. Martin Van Buren McDougal of Eliz- 
abethtown furnishes the following list : Walter N. Nicholson, 
William H. Cornwright, M. V. B. McDougal, Veterans, Adiel 
T. Stevens, Robert Slaughter, Lewis H. Roscoe, Thomas 
Roscoe (killed by a sharp shooter), Peter Cross, Edward 
Cross. 

Peter Mayo served as a wagoner in a cavalry regiment. 

Louis Careau also served in the Union Army from Eliz- 
abethtown. 



403 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOW^I 

Elizabethtown furnished three men in Company C, 11th Nevr 
York cavah'T : James E. Patten, Daniel L. DeGroff and Syl- 
vester Smith. 

Milton Hanchett served in the 142d New York Vols, Charles 
Henry Davis went in the 2d Veteran N. Y. Cavalry and died 
in New Orleans. 

Orville Griffin, Charles Palmer, Cornelius Britt ell, Joshua 
Brittell, Eansora Hays and Philo Wiggins also served in the 
Union army from Elizabethtown. Charles Palmer, a brother of 
WilHam H. Palmer, Elizabethtown's well-known blacksmith, 
was accidentally shot through the body at Patrick Station by 
one of his comrades. Charles Palmer has been credited to 
Westport but the fact is Elizabethtown paid his mother the 
8300 bounty money. Charles Palmer's mortal remains were 
buried in Lewis. 

Marten B. Davis re-enlisted in the 10th Vermont, being 
transferred into the 11th Vermont, where he served as Drum 
Major. 

Melville J. Trumbull, an Elizabethtown boy, went into the 
United States navy, serving with George Dewey and under 
Admiral Farragut. "Mel" lives at Keene Valley, being one of 
the few survivors of the Farragut Veteran Association. 

Thomas H. Williams, son of Col. Edmund F. Williams, was 
living in the "Sunny South" when the civil war broke out and 
joined General James E. B. Stuart's cavalry where he served 
as a Lieutenant, riding around McClellan's army with Colonels 
Wm. H. H. Lee and Fitz Hugh Lee. Thomas H. WiUiams is 
a brother of John Van Rensselaer Williams of Company K, 
38th N. Y. Vols. 

Elizabethtown's Supervisor during 1863 and 1864 was Levi 
DeWitt Brown. Dec. 12, 1863, at a special town meeting it 
was voted to pay a bounty to volunteers to fill the quota of 
the town under the last call of President Lincoln for troops. 



HISTORY OF jELIZABETflTOWN 404 

)o motiou of Oliver Abel it was resolved to raise $350 for 
each volunteer credited to the town on its quota. A committee 
of three, consisting of Richard L. Hand, Oiver x\.bel, Jr., and 
Levi D. Brown, was appointed to raise the sum required for 
the purpose. The necessary amount was raised and the quota 
filled. 

March 1, 1864, at the annual town meeting a resolution 
offered by B\'ron Pond was adopted to the effect that the 
credit of the town be pledged to pay 8300 to vohinteers and 
Irafted men "who have been or may be credited on the Presi- 
dent's last call for 500,000 men and who shall not have received a 
town bounty.'* The wife and child of Cornelius Brittell of the 
93d Vols., were provided $6 per month until further notice and 
S5 a month was also provided toward the proper maintenance 
of Martin Kelly's family. 

July 27, 1864, another special town meeting was held and 
it was voted to pay $300 town bounty to all credits on the call 
for 500,000 made July 18, 1864. The following named men 
were api^ointed recruiting officers : 

Levi DeWitt Brown, Oliver Abel, Jr., Herbert Asa Putnam, 
John H. Glidden and Horace B. Lincoln. 

August 30, 1864, another special town meeting was held to 
consider the advisability of raising $350 additional bounty for 
each volunteer, in addition to that offered previous to any 
draft. Charles H. Noble, Byron Pond and Matthew Hale 
were designated to sell bonds and pay bounties. 

February 6, 1865, another special town meeting was held 
for further consideration of the bounty question, at which time 
it was voted to raise a bounty fund, by tax. of $10,000, or so 
much thereof as should be necessary, with which to pay boun- 
ties on the then last call of President Lincoln. 

The ladies of Elizabethtowu had throughout the war sent 



405 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

clothing and eatables to the front, box after box having been 
gratefull}^ received by our "boys." 

News of the surrender of General Robert E. Lee reached 
Elizabethtown a day or two after the 10th of April, 1865, and 
great rejoicing followed, here as elsewhere. And well might 
the people of every community rejoice, as it was the end of 
the mightiest civil conflict recorded in the annals of history. 

In the year 1864 two men appeared in Elizabethtown who 
were afterwards prominent in business affairs here — Richard 
Remington and Jay Cooke, the great financier. Richard Rem- 
ington bought property here and at once became interested 
in iron making, being associated with Perry Fletcher. Jay 
Cooke had just passed through the ordeal of raising the funds 
with which to finance the civil war and when he came here 
with his brother-in-law, Mr. Moorhead, to see about buying 
forge property, ore beds, etc., it didn't take but a short time 
to convince him that it was a good opportunity to go fishing. 
Upon that occasion he went fishing and for 40 successive years 
he came to Elizabethtown to try for the speckled beauties. 
In 1864 Jay Cooke and others purchased the Nigger Hill ore 
bed (Haasz bed) property of the heirs of Henry R. Noble, 
Charles Henry Noble arranging for the sale, the consideration 
being $100,000. 

In 1865 and 1866 Elizabethtown's Supervisor was Matthew 
Hale. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 406 



Elizabethtown After the Civil Wat. 

Levi DeWitt Brown died February 4, 1866. Funeral services 
(Masonic) were held February 6th, the interment being in the 
old cemetery. 

Adirondack Lodge, No. 602, F. & A. M., was chartered Jan- 
uary 19, 1866, (organization effected at Essex County Court 
House) with DeWitt Stafford, VV. M., Rowland C. Kellogg, S. 
W., and Francis A. Smith J. W., who with six other mem- 
bers, A. 0. H. Livingston, Arod K. Dudley, George S. Nichol- 
son, L. M. Smith, Orlando Kellogg and Steptoe C. Williams, 
had come from Sisco Lodge, No. 259, then of Whallonsburgh, 
now of Westport. Meetings were first held in the 3d story of 
what is now the E. E. Wakefield hardware store. The Mas- 
ters since Mr. Stafford have been Francis A. Smith, Rowland 
C. Kellogg, John Liberty, A. C. H. Livingston, George S. Nich- 
olson, A. C. H. Livingston, John W. Chandler, Arod K. Dud- 
ley, Walter M. Marvin, Rowland C. Kellogg, Walter M. Mar- 
vin, Thomas A. Wasson, Walter M. Marvin, Thomas A. Wasson, 
Steptoe C. Williams and John J. Deming, present incumbent. 
The late George S. Nicholson served as Secretary of this 
Lodge many years and Charles H. Palmer served in the same 
capacity 11 years. In 1885 Adirondack Lodge had 77 mem- 
bers and in 1905 the members number 131. Meetings have 
been held for more than 30 years in the 3d story of the Charles 
N. Williams block. Adirondack Lodge is said to be one of 
the largest and best working country lodges in the State of 



40r HISTORY OP EiLlZASfiTHTOWN 

New York. The late Arod K. Dudley served as District jJep-' 
uty Grand Master of tiiia Masonic District. 

Modern base ball was first played in Elizabethtown durinjy 
the summer of 1866. 

The Elizabethtown High School building was erected during 
the spring and summer of 1866, Woodruff brothers (Augustus 
and Eugene) supetintending the work. School commenced in 
the new building in September, 1866.' 

Judge Byron Pond was first President of the Board of Edu- 
cation of the Elizabethtown Union Free School District (No.l) 
and served as such about ten years, being followed by Richard 
Lockhart Hand who served equally as long as Judge 
Pond did. Since Mr. Hand's service Rowland 0. Kellogg, Wal- 
ter M. Marvin, John S. Roberts and Thomas A. Wasson have 
served as President of the Boatrd of Education. The present 
Board consists of Dr. Thomas A. Wasson, President, E. L. 
Barker, Wm. H. Hanchett, Charles H. Derby, Almon O. Clark 
and George L. Brown, the latter having served continuously 
since August, 1895. 

Arod K. Dudley served as Elizabethtown's Supervisor dur- 
ing 1867 and 1868, being elected District Attorney of Es.se^f 
County in 1867. 

The Kingdom Iron Company was incorporated June 12, 
1867, the Trustees for the first year being John A. Griswold, 
Friend Fletcher, Richard Remington, John F. Winslow and 
James P. Brinsmade.- William C. Holbrook, late Colonel of 
the 7th Vermont Vols., afterwards Judge Holbrook of New 
York City, was counsel for The Kingdom Iron Company and 
frequently visited Elizabethtown. 

1 For list of teachers see chapter on Schools and Teachers. 

2 The Kingdom settlement was formerly referred to as the "Devil's Kingdom" by a min- 
ister who vvent there to preach one Sunday. After awhile (he derisive name came to be The 
Kingdom, without that of his Satanic Nf ajesty being attached. For this information 1 am 
Indebted to the late Bainbridge Bishop, 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWt^ 40S 

David Judd died Maj' 2, 1868, his remains being buried in 
Riverside cemetery. 

Two or three years after the civil war closed "Uncle Billie" 
Wall died, l^eing buried in the old cemetery. His son Robert 
was the first cornet band leader Elizabethtown ever had. 
Robert Wall went west and after "Uncle Billie" died, Mrs. 
Wall joined her son at Eau Claire, Wis., where she died and 
was buried. 

Crowley & Hoblitzell were operating in Elizabethtown these 
days, running the Valley Forge, etc. 

In 1869 The Iron Mountains Company was organized. 

Just after Crowley & Hoblitzell left Elizabethtown William 
G. Neilson of Philadelphia came here. He superintended the 
Valley Forge, etc., for Jay Cooke for some time and later be- 
came the owner of property' at the head of Keene Valley. He 
built "Noon-Mark Lodge" which has been his summer home 
for over 20 years. He also served as President of the Adi- 
rondack Mountain-Reserve for 17 successive years. 

Elizabethtown's Supervisor from 1869 to 1873, inclusive, was 
Rowland C. Kellogg. 

In 1872 Oliver Abel, Jr., was elected Essex County Treas- 
urer, in which official capacity he continued to serve until Dec. 
31, 1881, being defeated for a fourth term in November, 1881, 
by Eugene Wyman. 

In March, 1873, Jay Cooke deeded the Valley Forge prop- 
erty, etc., to The Champlain Iron Company. 

Elizabethtown's Supervisor from 1874 to 1876, inclusive, was 
Francis A. Smith. 

In 1874 Wm. Simonds, who had occupied the Valley House 
since its rebuilding by David Judd in 1861, went up on the 
Plain and built the Mansion House, now Deer's Head Inn- 
Mr. Simonds was then in company with his son-in-law Orlando 
Kellogg. 



409 HISTORY OF ELIZaBETHTOWN 



Incorporation of Elizabethtown Villag'e. 

In the year 1875 Elizabethtown village was iDcorporated, 
Judge Robert S. Hale being father of the movement to incor- 
porate. Village election was held November 17, 1875, Judge 
Robert S. Hale being elected President, Richard L. Hand,Wm. 
H. Palmer and Arod K. Dudley being elected trustees. In 
1877 Richard L. Hand was elected President, Harry Hale be- 
ing elected Trustee in Mr. Hand's place. The Village Fathers 
continued the same till 1883, when John S. Roberts was 
elected Trustee in place of Harry Hale. In 1884 Robert W. 
Livingston was elected President and Herbert A. Putnam suc- 
ceeded W. H. Palmer as Trustee. In 1885 Milo C. Perry was 
elected Trustee in place of John S. Roberts. In 1886 Herbert 
A. Putnam was elected President, Walter M. Marvin and John 
Liberty being elected Trustees in place of Herbert A. Putnam 
and Arod K. Dudley. In 1887 the village officials were the 
same as in 1886. In 1888 Byron Pond was elected President, 
the Trustees remaining the same as in 1886 and 1887. In 1889 
Harry Hale was elected President, A. C. H. Livingston being 
chosen Trustee in place of John Liberty. In 1890 the village 
officials were the same as in 1889. In 1891 Byron Pond was 
elected President, Charles H. Palmer being chosen Trustee in 
place of Milo C. Perry. In 1892 the village officials remained 
the same as in 1891. In 1893 George W. Jenkins was elected 
President, Robert Bruce McDougal being chosen Trustee in 
place of A. C. H. Livingston. In 1894 John D. Nicholson and 
Byron A. Perry were elected Trustees, George W. Jenkins be- 




JUDGE ROWLAND C. KELLOGG. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETEiTOWN 414 

\n^ i-e-eleotecl Presideut. In 1895 Livingston Woodruff was 
elected Trustee in place of Charles H. Palmer. In 1896 
Charles H. Palmer was elected President, Walter M. Marvin 
and Willard Ferriu being chosen Trustees. In 1897 President 
and Trustees remained the same as in 1896. In 1898 John S. 
Roberts was elected President, Wm. H. Hanchett being 
elected Trustee in place of Willard Ferrin. A chanf];e to two 
Trustees was made this year. In 1899 Silas P. Cross was 
elected Trustee in place of Livingston Woodruff. In 1900 
Harry H. Nichols was elected President, Livingston Woodruff 
being chosen Trustee in place of Wm. H. Hanchett. In 1901 
Albert A. Boynton succeeded Silas P. Cross as Trustee. In 
1902 Arod K. Dudley was elected President, Albert P. Patter- 
sou being chosen Trustee iu place of Livingston Woodruff. 
March 24, 1902, Albert A. Boynton resigned as Trustee and 
Henry A. Aird acted in his place. In 1903 Orlando Kellogg 
was elected President, Victor W. Prime and Almon O. Clark 
serving as Trustees. In 1904 Dr. Albert A. Wheelock was 
elected President, Walter M. Marvin and Charles C. Oldruff 
serving as Trustees. In 1905 Livingston Woodruff was elected 
President, Walter M. Marvin and Charles C. Oldruff being re- 
elected Trustees. 

In 1875 the old Valley House was purchased by Hills H. 
Sherburu, moved back from the river and enlarged. 

In 1876 Orlando Kellogg, who had been in partnership with 
William Simonds since 1865, went over to the old Corner 
House, in other words "struck out for himself." Mr. Kellogg 
served as Executive Clerk of the State Senate 11 years, being in 
Albany winters but back in Elizabethtown building hotel dur- 
ing other seasons. He kept adding to the old Corner House 
until it finally lost its identity entirely. To-day Orlando Kel- 
logg & Son have one of the largest hotels in the Adirondacks 
and with the exception of "Paul" Smith, Orlando Kellogg is 



415 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

probably the most widely known hotel man in Northern New 
York. 

Milo C. Perry served as Supervisor of Elizabethtown from 
1877 to 1882, inclusive. 

Wood Alcohol Making at New Russia. 

In the latter 70s Herbert Asa Putnam erected a wood alco- 
hol and acetate of lime factory at New Russia. The building 
stood on the west side of the Boquet River, at a point a few 
rods below where the bridge spans the stream on the road 
from New Russia to Simonds Hill. Hard wood, 4 ft., was put 
into retorts and baked, the juice making the wood alcohol. 
Oak made the most alcohol per cord of any wood obtainable 
in this vicinity. The refuse mixed with lime made acetate of 
lime. This chemical works was the 3d one of the kind ever 
erected and the first two or three years after its erection busi- 
ness "boomed" at New Russia. John and William Harrison 
were the adepts who attended to this chemical works and the 
products were largely shipped abroad until after 1880. These 
were prosperous days for New Russia with the forge, etc., run- 
ning, the store well stocked, two blacksmith-shops, a shoe- 
shop and all the farmers hauling in from two to four loads of 
wood to the chemical works daily. However, shortly other 
chemical works were erected and after a time Mr. Putnam 
found, being so far inland, that he could not compete with the 
newer and more conveniently located factories and finally the 
chemical factory at New Russia shut down, to start no more 
forever. As a boy the writer often visited this factory, his 
next elder brother, W. S. Brown, then being Mr. Putnam's 
book-keeper and general superintendent at New Russia. There 
is now nothing left to mark the spot where stood this unique 
chemical works, which was the scene of great activity in the 
the latter 70s and early 808. 



ttlSTORt OF ELI2ABETHT0WN 416 

Oliver Abel, Sr., died April 2, 1880, in the 91st year of his 
age, having lived in Elizabethtown 82 years. He was born in 
1789, the year Captain Piatt Rogers surveyed up the Schroon, 
Valley and down the Boquet Valley and came to Elizabethtown 
in 1798, the year of Captain Piatt Rogers' death. He drew a 
pension on account of service rendered in the War of 1812. A 
few weeks before his death he gave the writer the spur with 
M'hich he urged his horse in that brief but glorious campaign 
which ended in the Battle of Plattsburgh. That identical 
spur is proudly preserved by the author of Pleasant Valley 
who is glad to have known the man who was selected from 
Captain John Lobdell's Cavalry Company to do scout dut}' at 
the Battle of Plattsburgh. The remains of Oliver Abel, Sr., 
were buried in the old cemetery. 

Enterprise Hose Company, the nucleus of Elizabethtown's 
Fire Department, was organized in 1882. 

W. S. Brown served as Elizabethtown's Supervisor from 
March, 1883, to March, 1884, positively declining to accept a 
renomination. 

In the spring and summer of 1883 the Elizabethtown Water 
Company brought water in galvanized iron pipes from Cold 
Brook to Elizabethtown village, a distance of nearly two miles. 
The Water Co. was capitalized at $8,000, Richard L. Hand 
being President and Rowland C. Kellogg Superintendent. Fol- 
lowing were among the stockholders : Richard L. Hand, 
Charles N. Williams, William Simonds, Orlando Kellogg, 
Charles H. Noble, Rowland C. Kellogg, John S, Roberts and 
A. C. H. Livingston. The water was turned on in August, 
1883, working successfully. The plant installed by the Eliz- 
abethtown Water Company was the first up-to-date water 
works in Essex County. The water furnished has continued to 
be the best, force, quality and quantity considered. Prof. 
Mason of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute said of the Eliz- 



417 BISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

abethtown water ten years after the plant was put in : "It is 
the purest water I Lave ever analyzed." 

In the spring of 1883 Charles N. Williams opened his drug 
store. 

April 27, 1883, Henry D. Debosnys was hanged in the Essex 
County jail yard, Eollin L. Jenkins being Sheriff. 

In 1884 the Elizabethtown Circulating Library building 
was erected on land obtained from Hon. Byrou Pond. This 
building, the first one erected in Essex County for strictly 
library purposes, stands on River Street, is highly ornamental 
and contains 2,500 volumes,Miss Mary E. Hale being Librarian. 

During the spring and summer of 1886 James K. Thompson 
fixed over the upright part of the Bullard or Williams block 
for a store. At the same time Henry Jacobs fixed over the 
old grist-mill building, making many alterations and improve- 
ments. Mr. Thompson occupied the upright part of the W^il- 
liams block until his death in the autumn of 1889 and Mr. 
Jacobs remained in the old grist-mill block until the summer 
of 1890 when he went to New York with his family. 

January 12, 1887, Benjamin Calkin, Elizabethtown's last 
Battle of Plattsburgh survivor, died, being nearly 92 years of 
age. His remains were buried in the Calkin cemetery. 

Elizabethtown's Supervisor from 1884 to 1888, inclusive, was 
A rod K. Dudley, he being succeeded by Milo C. Perry, who 
held the office till the spring of 1898, having been elected Dis- 
trict Attorney of Essex County in November, 1897. 

In December, 1892, the Essex County Board of Supervisors 
voted 10 to 8 to move the County Seat to Port Henry, but the 
action was declared illegal by the Courts. 

August 29, 1893, a flood swept through Elizabethtown in 
broad midday. It was a short rain but a most destructive 
flood, leaving tracks from which it took the town several years 
to recover. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOVVN 418 

In the spring of 1898 James M. DeLong was elected Super- 
visor of Elizabethtown and continues to serve in that capacity. 

In 1898 Elizabeth town was connected with the outside world 
by lonp distance telephone. 

In 1898 Charles M. Wood harnessed the water power at 
Rice's Falls, utilizing it for the purpose of lighting Elizabeth- 
town village with electricity. Mr. Wood has continued in the 
work and is now giving good service, having his power house 
just below the site of the old "Twin Bridges." 

In 1901 local telephones were put in by the Lewis and Eliz- 
abethtown Telephone Association, George L. Brown serving 
as first President of the organization. A line was first con- 
structed from Reber to Lewis Center and thence to Elizabeth- 
town via the Nichols neighborhood and afterwards extended 
up the Boqiiet Valley to Hunter's Home. A line was also run 
to Brainard's Forge and Wadhams Mills and now good service 
is on with all lake shore towns. The Lewis and Elizabeth- 
town Telephone Company was incorporated in May, 1905, 
Alembert J. Durand being President. 

In December, 1903, the Essex County Board of Supervisors 
voted 10 to 8 to move the County Seat to Westport. People 
voted on the question in November, 1904, but it was close and 
the County Seat matter is now in the Courts for the second 
time. 

Following is a list of town officials elected in March, 1905 : 
Supervisor — James M. DeLong, Town Clerk — Emmett W. 
Richards, Justices of the Peace — John D. Nicholson, Willard 
Ferrin, Assessors — Steptoe C. Williams, Sidney F. Scriver, 
Olon B. Norton, Collector— Albert W. Denton, Overseer of the 
Poor — George H. Glidden, Commissioner of Highways — Rob- 
ert H, Wood, Inspectors of Election Charles W. Dunn, Al- 
bert A. Boynton, Virgil S. Clark (Dem.), Fred J. Patterson 
(Dem.), Auditors — Charles H. Palmer, Julius F. Burres, Byron 



41i^ HlS^rORY Of EILl^AliETHTOWJT 

A. Perry, Constables — William Barton, Nelson Shores, Johzi 
Barton, Percival V. Weeks, Alouzo M. Durand. 

EIi3abethtoT\m Mountains, Ponds, Streams, Etc. 

The physical formation of Eliz ibethtown combines peculiar 
and striking characteristics. Here the beautiful and pictur- 
esque are singularly blended v/ith the magnificent and impos- 
ing. Exhibitions of impressive grandeur like Split Rock Falls 
and Cobble precipice are here to combine with scenes of in- 
comparable sylvan beauty and romantic seclusion. The beau- 
tiful Boquet Valley occupies the centra! portion of the town, 
extending north from Split Rock to the Lewis town line. The 
principal mountain peaks are Raven, Hurricane, Cobble, West 
Cobble and Giant of the Valley. Other eminences having 
more or less local fame are Wood Hill, Little Buck, Rocky 
Peak, Iron Mountain, Felt Mountain, Pine Hill, Rogers Moun- 
tain, Spruce Knoll, Green Hill, etc. The principal streams 
are the Boquet River, the Branch or Little Boquet, Black River, 
Ladd Brook, Little Pond Brook, Little Sucker and Big Sucker 
Brook, Slide Brook, Stevens Brook, Beaver Meadow Brook, 
Roaring Brook, Durand Brook, Jackson Brook, Falls Brook, 
Deep Hollow Brook, and Barton Brook. The principal ponds 
are Simonds Pond, New Pond and Little Pond. 

Besides the patents already mentioned, there are lots located 
in Roaring Brook Tract, Old Military Tract, Essex Tract, North 
River Head Tract, etc. 

Elizafacthto^n as a Summer Resort. 

Elizabethtown has been a summer resort for half a century 
and hundreds of tourists visit the place every season. Follow- 
ing are the names of a few of the many prominent men who 
have visited Elizabethtown for rest and recreation : Joel T. 
Headley, Alfred B. Street, Spencer F. Baird, J. Fennimore 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 420 

Coo{3er, J. C. D. Parker, George Wilson, Jav Cooke, E. J. 
Phelps, Dr, R. S. Storrs, Dr. Van Dyke and sons, Dr. Theo- 
dore Cuyler, Bishop Potter, G. B. Wood, Clifford Carleton,the 
Harts, the Richards, Judges Moore, Sackett, McLaughlin, Gil- 
dersleeve, Truax, Gregory, E. J. Denning, Governors Seymour, 
Marcy, Cornell and Black, W. M. Kingsley, Horace Greeley, 
Henry J. Raymond and Thomas Sutherland, the world famed 
boiler maker. 

Elizabethtown has three up-to-date hotels— The Windsor, 
O. Kellogg & Sou proprietors, Deer's Head Inn, B. F. Stetson 
proprietor and Maplewood lun, G. W. Jenkins proprietor. Be- 
sides these hotels are Pine Grove Cottage, Cottage in the Pines, 
Durand Farm, Hunter's Home, etc. 

Many summer homes dot our hillsides, such as "The Bal- 
sams" settlement, Windy Cliff, the cabins on Otis Mountain ^ 
so-called, Olaircroft, Caldron Fell, Garondah, All View, Camp 
Sunshine and Sunny Lawn, the palatial home of Mrs. Marks 
which stands on the Plain in Elizabethtown village. 

Here in Elizabethtown are all the wholesome attractions* 
including golf, the Cobble Hill Golf links having been laid out 
in 1896, Judge Henry A. Gildersleeve of New York City being 
the man who introduced the "ancient and royal game" here. 
The "old 40 acre lot" has been transformed into a beautiful 
play ground, on which has been erected a spacious Club House. 
Judge Gildersleeve is President of the Cobble Hill Golf Club, 
having filled the position since 1896, Richard L. Hand being 
Vice-President. 

Elizabethtown village is distinguished among small country 
villages for the affectionate care and correct taste displayed so 
generally in the style and condition of its homes and surround- 
ings, fully, deserving to be called the "Queen of Adirondack 
villages." 

Here in Elizabethtown village the summer sojourner finds 



421 HISTORY OF £:LI2ABETHT0W'N 

tlie largest, best equipped aud conducted drug store in Eissejf 
County, two hardware stores aud a half dozen other stores, 
three blacksmith-shops, two saw-mills, a feed store, printing 
office, an up-to-date moat-market, wheelwright-shop, furniture 
sl\pp^ etc. 

Elizabethtown's Postmasters. 

Following are the names of those who have served as Post- 
master in Elizabethtown : 

Norman Nicholson, Alanson Mitchell, Augustus C. Hand, 
Robert W. Livingston, Orlando Kellogg, Byron Pond, William 
Higby, William W. Root, Levi DeWitt Brown, Samuel C, 
Dwyer, Oliver Abel, Jr., Theodore C. Lamson, Charles N. Wil- 
liams, Robert W. Livingston, A. C. H. Livingston, W. Scott 
Brown, George L. Brown and John D. Nicholson, present in- 
cumbent and grandson of Elizabethtown's first Postmaster. 

New Russia has had two Postmasters — ^Lucius Bishop aud 
Stephen B. Pitkin. 

For a short time there was a Post OflSce at Euba Mills abouf. 
1870, George Mason being I|'ostmast4r. 

Schools and Teachers* 

Dr. Kineade is said to have been Elizabethtown's first school 
teacher, teaching on Water Street in Elizabethtown village. 
Following him in the village were Ashley Pond, Joel Emmes, 
Russell Finney, Mr. Ca^mpbell, Betsey Brown, Juliet Gross, 
Miss Miner, Robert W. Livingston, Orson Kellogg, William 
Plummer Graves, Hugh Evans (died March 8, 1842, of black 
throat ail) Miss Mary Ewer, Miss Harriet Ewer, Cyrus Blanch- 
ard, Cabot Clark, John Pollock and wife, Jesse Gay, Robert 
S. Hale, Matthew Hale, William H. Burbank, Sewell Sargeant 
Henry Parmerter, Bovette B. Bishop, Philip Miller, Freedom 
G. Dudley, John William McVine, Fayette L. Miller, Angelina 




J3 

u 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BET HTOWN 426 

Chandler, Affa Detuing, Hiram A. Gillett, Theodoaia Ragglen, 
"Roger Hickok, Sarah Ann Nicholson, Sarah Ann Williams, 
Asahel Lyon, Miss Shattuck, Mrs. Blake, Miss Talcott, Mar- 
cus A. Edmunds, John Q. Dickinson, Edgar Pierce. 

Elizabcthtown Union FreeSchool District No» I. 

In September, 1866, school commenced in the new building, 
Harry H. Scott being Principal, with Lucy E. Fairbanks and 
Nancy P. Lewis as the other teachers. 

Principal Scott was succeeded by James H. Robinson. 

Principal Robinson was succeeded by John G. Murphy 
whose daughter, Miss Ella Murphy, also taught in the school. 

In September, 1869, John W. Chandler came to Elizabeth- 
town to serve as Principal of the school which had then been 
ruuuing three years. He had served as a soldier in the Union 
army during the civil war and was a graduate of Falley Sem- 
inary. He remained here as Principal 14 intensely busy 
years, leaviug Elizabethtown shortly after the close of school 
in June, 1883. 

Following teachers taught under Principal Chandler here : 
Lucy E. Fairbanks, Cornelia A. Kellogg, Mariette E. Perry, 
A. Estelle Leonard, Martha A. Young, Emma Roscoe, Laura 
H. Hinds, Louise A. Perry, Emma E. Northup, Mary A. Ros 
coe, Katharine K. Nicholson, Cora Root, Sarah J. Wickes, 
Emma Wickes. 

In September, 1883, William H. Coats became Principal and 
I'emained till June, 1890. The following teachers taught under 
Principal Coats : Sarah J. Wickes, Emma Wickes, Sarah Rice, 
Louise A. Perry, Elizabeth M. Parrish, Wilbur H. Browuson, 
George L. Brown, Alice E. Abel, Herbert P. Coats, Lizzie M. 
Palmer, C. H. Derby, Fred W. Dudley, Mary A. Palmer. 

In September, 1890, Herbert D. Hoffnagle (Vermont Uni- 
versity) became Principal and remained till June, 1894. The 



427 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

following teachers taught under Principal Hoffnagle : Louise 
A. Perry, Alice E. Abel, M. Ethel Clark, Edith M. Durand, 
Milo A. Durand. 

In September, 189-1, Schuyler F. Herron (Syracuse Univers- 
ity) became Principal and served till June, 1897. The follow- 
ing teachers taught under Principal Herron : M. Ethel Clark, 
Alice E. Abel, Edith M. Durand, Grace Woodin, Glenn A. 
Crumb, Jennie Clock, Katherine E. Palmer. 

In September, 1897, Nelson L. Coleman (Colgate Univers- 
ity) became Principal and remained two school years. The 
following teachers taught under Principal Coleman : Ada V. 
Demiug, Alice E. Abel, Louise Payne, Mary E. Darrah, Wil- 
liam H. Roberts. 

In September, 1899, Charles W. Dunn, (St. Lawrence Uni- 
versity) became Principal and has had the following teachers 
with him in his educational work here : Ada V. Deraing, Ella 
H. Dudley, Viola L. Still, Jessie Emnott, Pearl V. Emnott, 
Wm. H. Roberts, Clara L. Dunster, Margaret T. Shepson, 
Lizzie Shepson, Alice E. Abel. 

Brainard's Forge Teachers, 

Following is a partial list of those who have taught in the 
Brainard's Forge district : Henry Lee, Franklin Lee, Lucuis 
Leonard, Abigail Mitchell, Prusia Mitchell, George Blake, 
Frank K. Shattuck, Albert Hurd, Lovina Hodgkins, Martha 
A. Young, Jennie Wood, Ada V. Deming, Wm. H. Lobdell. 
Gertrude Spear, George Chamberlain, Milo A. Durand, Alice 
E. Abel, Nellie Simonds, Mary Lodbell. 

Pine Grove District. 

Following is a partial list of those who have taught school 
in the Pine Grove district : 



MISWRY OP ELI2ABETHT0WN 428 

ftilas Bowe, Asahel Lyon, Matilda Hooper, Kebecca Perrv, 
Harriet Holcomb, Jane Holcornb, Chloe Bristol, Robertson J. 
Roscoe, Charlotte Roscoe, Walter Kellogg, Theron Kellogg, 
Sally Post, Ralza Roberts, Thalia Post, Pearl Markham, 
(sister of Gov. Markham of California), Lucy Stafford, Min- 
erva Thompson, Juliet Calkin, Emily Glidden, George Blood, 
Payette L. Miller, Arod K. Dudley, Edward J. Smith, Nancy 
P. Lewis, Alice Pierson, Sarah Ann Williams, Alice Baird, 
Rose Wakefield, Delia Graves, John J. Ryan, Walter D. Mac- 
Dougal, Alice E. Abel, Minnie A. Smith, Viola L. Still, Nellie 
Simouds, Martina Emnott, Miss White, Ada V. Deming. 

Meigsviile District. 

Following are a few of those who have taught school in the 
Meigsviile district : Henry Lee, Amny Storrs, Norton Hart- 
well, Mania Hoisington, Wallace W. Pierce, Charlotte Ingra- 
ham, Mason Gates, Celiutha Gates, Eleanor Rowe, Susanna 
Wolcott, Egbert Braman, Lula Hickok, Edward J. Lobdell, 
Rose Brewster, Walter D. MacDougal. 

Post District, 

Following is a partial list of those who have taught in the 
Post District, so-called, in the Boquet Valley : Mary Ann 
Cook, E. P. Hendee, Alonzo McD. Finney, Calneh Ames, Al- 
fred Ames, Affa Deming, Nelson J. Roscoe, Elvira Ellis, Miss 
Babcock, Midas E. Bishop, Mr. Walker, Mr. Woodruff, Viola 
Burroughs, Jerome T. Lobdell, Fannie Gates, Jennie Holt, 
John L. Vaughan, Ada V. Deming, Jennie Deming, Miss Sev- 
erance, Ida E. Palmer, Lillian Archambeau, George L. Brown, 
Nellie Emnott, Pearl V. Emnott, "Del" Wilkins, Jennie Lav- 
erty, Anna Otis, Alice E. Abel, Cora Root, Viola L. Still, Ryan 
L. Hennessey, Mary A. Palmer, Fannie Barker. 



429 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Simonds Hdl. 

Following is the best list available of those who have aided 
in teaching the "young idea how to shoot" on Simonds Hill : 
Huldah Little, Amanda Barnum, Rebecca Wright, Lucetta 
Loveland, Sally Post, Alniira Churchill, Almira Sjkes, Louisa 
Foster, Sophia Havens (sister of Palmer E. Havens), Amanda 
Mason, (daughter of Judge Ambrose Mason), Lorinda E. Dav- 
enport, Harriet Tarbell, Susan Tarbell, (sisters of Jonathan 
Tarbell), Millie Braisted, Aretas Loveland, Leland Rowe, 
Richard Phelps, James C. Knapp, John Vanderburg Barker, 
Truworth Barker, Henry H. Havens, George O. Roberts, 
Richard Henry Lee, Alonzo McD. Finney (1838), William 
Plummer Graves (1839), Nelson J. Roscoe, Clifford A. Hand, 
Wallace W. Pierce, Midas E. Bishop, Fayette L. Miller, Mat- 
thew Ryan, Fannie Baird, Jennie Deming. 

Alonzo McD. Finney is unquestionably Elizabethtown's old- 
est surviving school master, being now in his 90th year. He 
served as Inspector of Schools for the town of Elizabethtown 
during the year 1848, receiving therefor $1.25 per day for 
work actually and necessarily performed, examining candidates 
for teachers, presiding at "school district row trials," etc. 
Among the candidates granted a certificate by Mr. Finney 
was Clifford A. Hand, afterwards the distinguished Wall Street 
lawjer. 

South Valley District. 

Following are several teachers who have taught in South 
Valley : Jerome T. Lobdoll, Ada V. Deming, Jennie Freeman, 
John L. Vaughan, Kate Condlin, Mary McDonald, Abbie 
Roscoe, Kate Reil, Charlotte lugraham, Fannie Glidden, Mary 
Gilligan, Mary Harrington, Nellie Emnott, Anna Davern, 
Jennie Laverty, Kate Gilligan, Minnie Dunning, May Marvin, 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 430 

A-lDjiua Bull, Emily Bull, Jennie Lawrence, Olive Denton, 
"Ella Dndlej^ Jessie Lavei^ty, Lucy Holcomb, Viola L. Still, 
May Thompson, Ida Roscoe, Fred Chappell, Miss Spaulding, 
Gertrude Stevens, Alice E. Abel, Florence D. Strong, Mary 
Ryan, Pearl V. Emuott, Dollie Dickson. 

Following are a few of those who have taught in the Euba 
Mills district : Ada V. Deming, Julius F. Burres, Eliza Chap- 
man, Jennie Laverty, Mrs. Emma Smith, Susie Dickson, Lil- 
lian Meagher, Jessie Laverty, Musa Smith (now Mrs. Elmer 
E. Wakefield), Henry Leonard Barton, Minnie A. Smith, Viola 
L. Still, Miss Blavv, Miss Colburu, Mary Ryan. 

Following are three teachers who taught in The Kingdom 
district during its existence: Miss Stanton, Miss Lord, Sarah 
Hammond. 

The Blake district school was thrown up 40 years ago. Fol- 
lowing are three teachers who taught in the Blake district ; 
Martha Braman, Charlotte lugraham, Jennie Goflt'. 

Elizabethtown Physicians, 

The first man to practice medicine here was Dr. Asa Post, 
who rode on horseback from Pan ton, Vt., to Pleasant Valley 
with his saddle bags ere Elizabethtown was formed from 
Crown Point He afterwards settled on a farm in the Boquet 
Valley, where he lived and died. 

Dr. Alexander Morse came to Elizabethtown about 1800, 
He was the first physician to settle in Elizabethtown village. 
He died in 1852, his remains being buried in the old cemetery. 
The historic Dr. Morse saddle bags are still preserved, also 
the lance with which he bled so many of his patients. 

Dr. Safi'ord E. Hale came to Elizabethtown in 1842 and 
practiced medicine here until his death in the spring of 1893. 

Above we have a record of three physicians, each of whom 
resided in Elizabethtown over half a century. 



431 ttlSTORY OF' ELiZABETMTOWlSr 

Dr. Green lived in the tipper Boqnet Valley, on a farnJ na\'^ 
owned by the Ritaons. He m well remembered by those whc? 
can recall events of half a century ago. His salve had a rep- 
utatiou before G. G. Green of to-day dreamed of healing the; 
public. 

Dr. P. P. Atwell, Methodist minister and physician, was 
here in 1852. 

Dr. Midas E. Bishop practiced medicine in Elizabethtowo 
several years, living at New Russia. He now lives at South 
Haven, Mich. 

Dr. Edward Tudor Strong practiced medicine in Elizabeth- 
town from 1882 to 1893, He died (spring of 1893) in Califor 
nia and was buried there^ 

Dr. George E. Whipple practiced here about 1885. 

Dr. Joseph A, Titus practiced here a short time previous to 
his death in 1880. 

Dr. W. E. Pattison practiced here for a short time in the 
early 80s, living in the Lamson house. 

Dr. Arthur practiced medicine here and afterwards went to 
Vergennes, Vt. 

Dr. L. J. Dailey was here as a practicing physician for a 
short time in the early 80s. 

Dr. Thomas A. Wasson came here in the latter part of the 
year 1886 and enjoys an extensive practice. 

Dr. Charles T. Washburn came here in 1892 and went away 
in 1894, being succeeded by Dr. Fred S. Hallett who remained 
till 1899, being followed by Dr. Albert A, Wheelock who is 
still in practice here. 

Elizabethtown Churches and Ministers. 

Methodist. A consecutive list of ministers who have served 
the Methodist Episcopal Society of Elizabethtown since its 
organization in 1839. The record is the best obtainable from 



HISTORY OF ELI2ABETHT0WN 4B2 

ill© material at hand and was prepared by the present pastor, 
Hev. A. S. Clark. Elizabeth town was for years a part of a 
fiarge circuit known as Elizabeth town Circuit and bore the 
name of Pleasant Valley class. 

1839 Oren Gregg; 1841 Chester Lyon ; 1844 Jeremiah Hul- 
land, Joseph Westcott; 1846 E.Liscoraes ; 1848 Albert Champ- 
!in ; 1850 H. F. Fenton ; 1852 P. P. Atwell, (also a physician); 
1854 William Bedell. This year the Church edifice was be- 
gun and was dedicated in February, 1855, Wm. Griffin, Pre- 
sidiug Elder. 1857 Bennett P^aton ; 1859 J. E. Kimball ; 1861 
8. Gardiner ; 1863 Henry Muusee ; 1865 M. A. Wicker, 1866 
J. C. Walker ; 1867 to 69 Elam Marsh ; 1869 to 72 David C. 
Ayers ; 1872 to 75 G. C. Gould ; 1875 to 77 Joseph Cope ; 1877 
to 80 Robert Patterson ; 1880 to 83 E. L. Arnold ; 1883 to 84 
George Kerr : 1884 to 87 Charles L. Hager (Chaplain 118th 
N. Y. Vols.); 1887 to 89 Alfred Eaton; 1889 to 91 F. S. Fran- 
cis ; 1891 to 93 Albert W. Wilcox ; 1893 to 95 Gordon L. 
Thompson ; 1895 to 99 Joseph C. Booth ; 1899 to 1900 John 
N. Goodrich; 1900 to 1904'Leigh Diefeudorf ; 1904 and 5 A, 
S. Clark. 

Baptist — The Elizabethtown Baptist Church was organized 
in the spring of 1796. Elder Reynolds is the first pastor of 
whom there is record. Elders Brown, Babcock and Chamber- 
lain served before Daniel Hascall, whose name is in the min- 
utes for several years after 1808. Elder Churchill, 1818, and 
John Stearns, 1824. Then followed the Free Mason trouble 
heretofore mentioned. In 1835 Elder Brandt was pastor. He 
is said to have been a lineal descendant of Joseph Brandt, 
the notorious half-breed of Johnson Hall fame. At any rate 
he is remembered as a benevolent, pious man. The Baptist 
Church edifice was erected in 1837. In the autumn of 1838 
Burchard's revival occurred. In the autumn of 1839 there 
were 68 baptisms reported and 19 other additions, making a 



433 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

total membership of 206, the higli water mark so far as I cdi- 
learn. EMers Gale, Garfield, Seaver, Dickens, McCollum and 
Churchill served the Baptist Church. J. H. Walden, Calvic 
Fisher, S. Ewer, Elias Hurlbut, Lorenzo Kellogg, (blind). M, 
N. Stearns, G. B. Bills, R. A. Hodge, S. Jones, Levi 8. Smith, 
8. Jewett, H. Steelman, George S. Pratt, S. W. Nichols, Wayne 
Brewster, George S. Nichols, J. F. Genung, now an Amherst 
College professor, served in turn as pastor. Rev. P. S. Mc- 
Eillup served as pastor in 1883 and 1884. S. P. Smith, a grad- 
uate of world-renowned Rugby, served in 1885, being followed 
by Rev. F. W. Gookin. Rev. Alexander MacGeorge was pas- 
tor in 1886 and 1887. Rev. James Hewitt was pastor the 
latter part of 1888 and the first few months of 1889. Clayton 
W. Grinnell supplied the Baptist pulpit during the summer of 
1891 and John H. Strong in the summer of 189'2. During 
the winter of 1894 Evangelist Blanchard (blind) supplied and 
Rev, J. N. Lattimer was pastor from June, 1894, to June, 1895. 
Rev. W. H. Barker came back to Elizabeth town from Wiscon-' 
sin in November, 1895, and shortly aftewards commenced tc 
preach, serving as pastor till October, 1904, being followed by 
Rev. George O. Webster, who is not only a good preacher and 
pastor but a poet of no mean order. 

The centennial of the church was observed April 7, 1896, 
George L. Brown being historian of the occasion. 

The Deacons of the Baptist Church are Wallace W. Pierce, 
Steptoe C. ¥/illiams and Friend A. Brown. Trustees are Al- 
bert Farusworth, Friend A. Brown and George L. Brown. 
The Church Clerk is Miss Esther Barker. 

Congregational. The First Congregational Church in Eliz- 
abethtown was organized March 25, 1821, by Rev. Cyrus Com- 
stock. Rev. Vernon D. Taylor was first pastor. From Sept. 
1830, to May, 1831, Rev. Moses Ingalls supplied and Ovid 
Miner, a licentiate and student of Auburn Theological Semin- 



o 





lU 




5n*e 




> 

e 

u 
O 



§ 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 438 

ary, was the acting pastor from Oct. 1833, to May, 1834. For 
the next six years tbe church had no regular pastor. In 
March, 1841, Rev. C. C. Stevens became pastor and remained 
until February, 1846. Mr. Stevens was followed by Rev. Par- 
ker who was pastor one year, from May, 1845, to May, 1846, 
after whom the Rev. J. Headley supplied from Dec. 1846, till 
July, 1847. 

In March, 1847, the society was reorganized and assumed 
the name of "The First Congregational Church of Elizabeth- 
town." 

Rev. S. Hine acted as pastor from Oct. 1847, till April, 1848. 

Up to this time service had been held in the Court House, 
school house, etc. Movements were now begun for the erec- 
tion of a church edifice which was cooipleted and dedicated in 
July, 1850. 

Rev. John Bradshaw was pastor from Dec. 1850, to June, 
1852. Rev. Cyrus Hudson was pastor in 1855 and 1856. Rev. 
Charles Redfield served from Feb. 1858, till Nov. 1860. Rev. 
Samuel Storrs Howe was pastor in 1861. 

In January, 1864, Rev. George Wellington Barrows became 
pastor, remaining till his death, September 26, 1881. 

Rev. Quiucy J. Collin was pastor from July 1, 1883, to Dec. 
31, 1884, Rev."^ Farley Porter from July 1, 1885, to October 1. 
1886. 

Rev. Jabez Backus was pastor from January, 1887, to Dec. 
31, 1888. 

In the summer of 1888 the new stone church was erected. 

Rev. Wm. S. Smart, D. D., a man smart both by name and 
nature, supplied the pulpit in 1889. 

In May, 1890, Rev. A. W. Wild was called to the pastorate 
and his services commenced June 29th, and he served till July 
1, 1898. Mr. Wild was one of the most scholarly preachers 
Elizabethtown ever had. Rev. Williams supplied awhile after 



439 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Mr. Wild left. Rev. John K. Moore, a Yale graduate, followed 
Mr. Willianas, remaiuing till October, 1904. The Church was 
without a pastor from October, 1904 to May 2, 1905, when 
Rev. Jabez Backus returned to Elizabethtown from Westport, 
Conn. Mr. Backus is a graduate of Yale and is in love with 
Elizabethtown in general with his pastoral charge in particular. 

Catholic. The corner stone of St. Elizabeth's Church, next 
the old cemetery, was laid by Bishop Edgar Prindle Wadhams 
May 23, 1881. Rev. Father O'Rourke helped build the church 
edifice, which was erected during the summer of 1881. Since 
the erection of the edifice the following priests have served : 
Reddingtou, Hallahan, Sullivan and LaChance. Father La- 
Chance, present priest, lives at Westport and officiates here 
every other Sunday. 

Episcopal. During the summer of 1880 Mrs. Ogden Hoff- 
man of New York City and daughter passed the summer with 
Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Durand at Pine Grove Cottage. That 
summer Mrs. Hoffman formulated plans for raising money 
with which to build an Episcopal Church. The Church of the 
Good Shepherd was erected in 1881, being consecrated July 8, 
1882, by Bishop William Croswell Doane. The rectory was 
built in 1887. The Church of the Good Shepherd was moved 
from the rectory site (where Charles C. Oldruff lives) to the 
present site in the spring of 1899. Following are the names 
of rectors : Rev. Eugene L. Toy, Rev. Phineas Duyrea, Rev. 
Sherman, Rev. W. Hughes, Rev. B. R. Kirkbride, Rev. C. C. 
Edmonds, Rev. John W. Gill, Rev. M. H. Troop, Rev. J. N. 
Marvin, Rev. Henry Rollings, Rev. J. L. Lasher, Rev. James 
D. Simmons, Rev. George F. Langdon. 

Bench and Bar. 
It has been said that the tremendous influence of lawyers upon 
the condition and destiny of every people which has attained 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 440 

to A higli degree of civilization is rarely rocognized and but lit- 
tle appreciated. However, the function of the bar is most im- 
portant. It is the political agent in government and jurispru- 
dence, exercising as it does the creating faculty, bringing 
system into being, adjusting all new creations in the form of 
constitutions and statutes to the diversified relations and con- 
venience of society, leveling distinctions among men, succoring 
the weak and holding in check the strong. 

Elizabethtowu has attained a reputation of having contrib- 
uted more eminent and worthy men to the legal profession 
than almost any other town of similar population in the Em- 
pire State and in fact the reputation of the town in all respects 
relative to the profession is eminently creditable. June 2, 
1899, Richard Lockhart Hand said at the Essex County Cen- 
tennial held at the Court House in Elizabethtowu : "I assert 
with confidence and challenge comparison, that for profes- 
sional learning and skill, elevation of character and conspicu- 
ous ability no community of similar numbers can show so 
brilliant and so honorable a roll of lawyers as our own, through- 
out the Empire State." 

Among Elizabethtown's early lawyers was Ezra Carter 
Gross, who served as Surrogate, Member of Assembly and 
Congressman. 

Ashley Pond was an early attorney here. He served as 
Surrogate and Essex County Clerk, dying in 1827. 

Gardner Stow practiced here before 1831. He afterwards 
served as District Attorney of Essex County and as Attorney 
General of New York State. 

John S. Chipman practiced law here from 1830 to 1838. He 
went to Michigan and afterwards went to Congress from that 
State. 

Augustus C. Hand, son of Captain Samuel Hand of Battle of 
Plattsburgh fame, born September 4, 1803, in Shoreham, 



441 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

Vt, came to Elizabetbtown in April, 1.831, having been ap- 
pointed Surrogate of Essex County. He bad studied law at 
the famous school of Judge Gould in Litchfield, Conn., and in 
the office of Hon. Cornelius L. Allen at Salem, N. Y. In the 
autumn of 1838 he was elected to Congress, serving with ability 
in 1839 and 1840. In 1844 he was elected to the State Senate 
and served as chairman of the judiciary committee of that 
body during his term. It was during this time that the Con- 
stitution of 1846 was adopted and made such radical changes 
in the organization of the Courts and the practice and proceed- 
ings in them, that some scheme to harmonize the old and new 
systems became necessary. This result was effectually se- 
cured by the law, commonly known as the Judiciary Act, 
which was originated and drafted by Judge Hand. During 
this period of time the State Senators, with the Lieutenant 
Governor, Chancellor, and Justices of the Supreme Court, con- 
stituted the Court of Final Resort in the State. In this 
body Judge Hand occupied a high position. Under the 
new constitution Judge Hand was elected a Justice of the 
Supreme Court and served eight years in that capacity with 
great distinction. Barbour s Reports, volumes 1 to 20, give 
something of the character and scope of the work accom- 
plished by Judge Hand while he was on the bench. During 
the year 1855 he was a member, ex-officio, of the Court of Ap- 
peals and wrote a few carefully prepared opinions, reported in 
volumes 2 and 3 of Kernans Reports. 

As a laAvyer Judge Hand was a model for imitation. Indus- 
trious, scholarly, careful, conscientious and strictly honest, he 
was especially kind and considerate towards young and timid 
members of the profession. As a citizen and neighbor Judge 
Hand was the embodiment of manhood's ideal, kind, liberal, 
truthful, upright. Many prominent attorneys went to differ- 
ent parts of the country from Judge Hand's law office and all 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETMTOWN 442 

carried with them memory of a man of pure Hfe and one having 
a thorough contempt for all knavery and sham. ^ 

Judge Augustus C. Hand died February 8, 1838 at his Eliz- 
abethtowu home. ' 

Judge Hand's sons all became lawyers. Clifford A. Hand 
went to New York and became one of the strong lawyers of 
that great Metropolis, having his office at 51 Wall Street. He 
declined appointment to the Court of Appeals. He died in 
Elizabeth town in 1901. 

Samuel Hand, like his brothers Clifford A. and Richard L. 
graduated from Union College. After a few years practice in 
Elizabethtown Samuel Hand went to Albany. He refused a 
nomination to the Supreme Court and afterwards became a 
Judge of the Court of Appeals by appointment. He died in 
1886. 

Richard Lockhart Hand was born in Elizabethtown in Feb- 
ruary, 1839, and was admitted to the bar at Plattsburgh in 
1861. He has repeatedly served as President of the Board of 
Education, President of the village of Elizabethtown and has 
served continuously as President of the Elizabethtown Water 
Company since its organization in 1883. He has been leader 
of the Essex County bar for a quarter of a century and is now 
serving his second year as President of the New York State 
Bar Association. The election and re-election of Mr. Hand, a 
resident of a little mountain bordered village like Elizabeth- 
town, as President of the New York State Bar Association, is 
one of the greatest honors ever paid to any lawyer of the Em- 
pire State. 

As a lawyer Richard L. Hand unquestionably ranks among 
the ablest in the great State of New York. As a citizen, a 
neighbor and friend his rank is the highest, being most ad- 
mired and respected where best known. To appreciate the 
charm of his domestic character, it is necessary to have seen 



443 HISTORY OF ELT2ABETHT0VVN 

him at his own home and in the midst of his family. Ther« 
he is as the sun in the cente)' of the system, quickening all 
things into life by his cheerful influence and shedding bright- 
ness and animation around him by the almost youthful fresh- 
ness and gaiety of his disposition. 

Mr, Hand's family consists of his wife, fortnerly Miss Mary 
E. Noble, one sou, Augustus Noble Hand, a distinguished 
young New York lawyer, and three daughters, Mrs. Henry M. 
Baird, Jr., of Yonkers, N. Y., Mrs. Albion James Wadhams of 
Riverton, N. J., and Miss Theodosia Hand of Elizabethtown. 

Orlando Kellogg was born in Elizabethtown in 1809. His 
grandfather, William Kellogg, had V)een mixed up in the Wy- 
oming massacre. His father, Rowland Kellogg, died in 1826, 
leaving Orlando at the tender age of 17 to look after a widowed 
mother and a large family of children. He worked at the car- 
penter trade several years and finally taught school and stud- 
ied law. A few years after his admission to the bar he served 
as Surrogate of Essex County and went to Congress in the 
latter 408, serving there with Abraham Lincoln and forming 
that strong friendship which lasted between the two great 
men so long as the latter lived. Mr. Kellogg's mother married 
for her second husband Col. Jeduthan Case and is buried be- 
tween her two husbands in the Boquet Valley cemetery. For 
several years Mr. Kellogg was associated with Robert S. Hale 
in the practice of law, the firm being Kellogg &Hale. In 1862 
Mr. Kellogg was again elected to Congress and was re-elected 
in 1864. During the civil war Mr. Kellogg stood exceptionally 
near to President Lincoln and his influence with the latter was 
great as his efl'orts in behalf of "Hank" Fuller proved. Henry 
C. Fuller of Company C, 118th Regiment, N. Y. Vols., com- 
monly called "Hank" Fuller, was sentenced to be shot as a mat- 
ter of military discipline. Rowland C. Kellogg of the 118th 
happened to be writing his father in Washington just after 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 444 

•sentence was passed upon "Hank" and wrote the news in a 
postscript to the letter. As soon as Congressman Kellogg 
received his son's letter he went to the President's room in the 
White House, late at night though it was, and entered a plea 
for "Hank's" life, saying the "boys" of the 118th didn't go to 
war to be shot that way. President Lincoln allowed that it 
wouldn't do the poor fellow any particular good to shoot him 
and decided to interfere in his behalf. The necessary papers 
were sent to the front, arriving just as "Hank" was passing 
down the "Street" to be shot. Of course execution was sus- 
pended. As soon as President Lincoln received word from 
the front he wrote the following on a card to Congressman 
Kellogg : "I have answer that the execution of Henry C. Ful- 
ler is suspended. 

Jan. 22, 1864. A. LINCOLN." 

That card with President Lincoln's handwriting upon it is 
before me as I write, having been preserved by Miss Cornelia 
A. Kellogg and Mrs. A. C. H. Livingston, daughters of Con- 
gressman Kellogg. "Hank" Fuller still lives, residing on the 
Ausable Biver at a point just below Keene Center. 

Comparing Abraham Lincoln and Orlando Kellogg, Richard 
L. Hand said at the Essex County Centennial June 2, 1899 : 
*'His fondness for 'pointing a moral' by a good story — some 
delightful bit of humor, some apt and amusing illustration 
drawn from life, and his profound and genuine interest in men 
as men, without regard to their station or claims, as well as 
a singular endowment of what we call, wanting a better term, 
common sense, have often suggested a strong resemblance 
between Mr. Kellogg and Abraham Lincoln, whose personal 
friendship he enjoyed. And doubtless, after all due allowance 
for natural exaggeration in such cases, there is sufficient foun- 
dation for this. Both were fountains of humor ; both were 



445 HISTORV OF KLI^A BETHTOWN 

born orators ; both were of peculiaril y tender and gentle uatttM;; 
and each was extremely Hiraple in manner, speech and dress^ 
never ceasing to be and rejoice in being 'A man of the people.' 
It would be strange if it were not true that, in the dark days 
of 1863 and 4, the President derived from the optimism, the 
courage, the genial sympathy and ceaseless flow of wit of Or- 
lando Kellogg, relief and hope and renewed strength." 

It is recalled that President Lincoln said during the dark, 
trying days of the civil war : "If it were not for Mr. Kellogg's 
stories I should get blue sometimes." 

Truly, Orlando Kellogg's wit, his intense sympathy with 
and intuitive reading of all classes of people and an exception- 
ally rare gift of eloquence overcame every obstacle, made him 
a leader of men and placed him on a high plane of power and 
fame. At the Lincoln memorial exercises held in Elizabeth- 
town in April, 1865, Orlando Kellogg was the principal orator 
and four months later the people of central Essex County fol- 
lowed that great-hearted speaker to his grave in Riverside 
cemetery, the expression on every face, the appearance on 
every side indicating both public and private loss. 

Three of Orlando Kellogg's sous became lawyers. Rowland 
Case Kellogg (born in Elizabethtown Dec. 31, 1843) served in 
the Union army during the civil war, rising to be Major. After 
the civil war Major Kellogg attended the Albany Law School, 
being a fellow student there with Major William McKinley, 
the late lamented President of the United States. Major Kel- 
logg was admitted to the bar in 1867, served as District At- 
torney of Essex County from January 1, 1877, to December 
31, 1885, inclusive, and as State Senator from January 1, 1886, 
to December 31, 1889, inclusive. He was appointed Essex 
County Judge by Governor Levi P. Morton in 1895, elected to 
the same office in November, 1896, and re-elected in November, 
1902. 




m 



a 

3 

X 



HISTORY OF ELIZA SET HTOWN 450 

Bobert Hale Kellofji;^, born 1847, also attended the Albany 
Law Scliool and was admitted to the bar. He resides in his 
native Elizabeth town but does not practice law. 

William Roger Kellogg was admitted as an attorney in 1877 
and as counselor in 1879. He is at present practicing law in 
Westport. 

Robert Wilson Livingston, born in Hebron, N. Y., April 2, 
1810, studied law in Judge Augustus C. Hand's office, being 
admitted to the bar in 1837. From 1837 to 1842 be practiced 
law in partnership with Judge Hand. In 1844 he was ap- 
pointed Surrogate of Essex County, succeeding Orlando Kel- 
logg, and continuing in that position until under the Consti- 
tution of 1846 the duties of Surrogate were transferred to the 
County Judge. He also practiced law with Jesse Gay, the 
firm being Livingston & Gay. In November, 1857, he was 
elected Essex County Clerk and served as such three years. 
In 1862 he went into the Union Army as Captain of Company 
F, 118th New York Vols., and became a Major. After his 
terrible military experience Major Livingston came home 
wrecked in health and gradually yielded his life to the persist- 
ent attacks of disease. His soul, great as it was gentle, pos- 
sessed in patience, waited for the hour when the good God he 
loved and served should give to His beloved sleep. Glad to 
have served his dear country, glad to have given his life to 
his fellow men, with a smile upon his gentle and refined face, 
he calmly "crossed the bar" January 27, 1886, his remains 
being buried in Riverside cemetery. Dignity, ease, complacency, 
the gentleman and the scholar, were agreeably blended in 
Major Robert W. Livingston, modesty marking every line and 
feature of his face. 

Jesse Gay and William Higby practiced law here in the lat- 
ter 40s. Gay went to Plattsburgh and Higby to California. 

Byron Pond was born in Elizabethtown February 3, 1823, 



451 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

bein^ a sou of Ashley Pond and a grandson of Hon. Benjamin 
Pond, both of whom served at the Battle of Plattsburgh. In 
1838 Byron Pond entered Judge Augustus C. Hand's office to 
study law and remained there as a student seven years. After 
his admission to the bar he formed a partnership with Judge 
Hand and after the latter's elevation to the Supreme Court 
bench Mr. Pond was in partnership with Clifford A. Hand. 
In 1858 Mr. Pond was elected District Attorney of Essex 
County, serving one term of three years. In November, 1864, 
lie was elected Esses County Judge, an office which he cred- 
itably filled for 14 successive 3^ears, the longest continuous 
service since the constitution of 1846 went into effect. Judge 
Pond was an industrious, temperate, dignified man, upright 
and fearless upon the bench, a gentleman of the old school, a 
worthy scion of the patriotic stock from whence he came. In- 
deed, he exemplified the sterling virtues of a family to whom 
Essex County owes much and was the last to survive of the 
old school of lawyers, those who sustained the dignity of Eliz- 
abethtown at home and gave the place an enviable reputation 
abroad. Judge Pond's wife was Mary Hinckley, who died 
about 30 years ago. Judge Pond died at his Elizabethtown 
home July 6, 1904, in the 82d year of his age and his remains 
were buried in Riverside cemetery where Judge Augustus C. 
Hand, Congressman Orlando Kellogg and Judge Robert S. 
Hale had gone before. Judge Pond is survived by four sons — 
Ashley, Byron G., Benjamin S. and Levi S., the latter hav- 
ing served as Essex County Surrogate's Clerk for nearly 10 
years, and four daughters. Miss Cordelia Pond, Mrs. W. S. 
Brown, Mrs. William H. Abel and Mrs. William A. Hathaway. 
Alembert Pond, a native of Elizabethtown, brother of Judge 
Byron Pond, practiced law here in the early 50s, after which 
he went to Saratoga, and became head of the famous law firm 
of Pond, French & Brackett. 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 452 

The three Hale brothers long- familiar in Elizabethtown — 
Safford Eddy, Kobert Safford and Matthew — were the sons of 
Harry Hale, Esq., of Chelsea, Vermont, and of Lucinda Eddy, 
his wife. Harry Hale's earliest ancestor in this country was 
Thomas Hale who with his wife Thomasine came from the 
parish of Watton in Hertfordshire, England, in 1635, and who 
settled in Newbury, Mass. 

Lucinda Eddy was also of Puritan descent, five of her lineal 
ancestors, among whom were both Captain Miles Standish 
and John Alden, having been members of that ever to be re- 
membered company who came to the New World from the Old 
in the ship Mayflower. 

Robert Saflford Hale was born September 24, 1822, and 
graduated from the University of Vermont iu 1842, Henry J. 
Raymond being one of his college mates. He taught school 
in Vermont and afterwards in Elizabethtown, Admitted to 
the bar in 1846, Mr. Hale shortly afterwards commenced prac- 
tice in partnership with Orlando Kellogg. In 1856 he was 
elected Essex County Judge and held the office eight years, 
two four year terms. In 1859 he was made a Regent of the 
University of the State of New York. In 1860 he was a Repub- 
lican Presidential Elector and in 1865 he succeeded Orlando 
Kellogg in Congress from this district. In 1868 he was em- 
ployed as special counsel of the Treasury before the Court of 
Claims of the United States. In 1871 he was appointed agent 
and counsel of the United States before the mixed Commission 
of Claims under the Treaty of Washington, In 1873 he was 
again elected to Congress. To the discharge of his various 
professional and public duties Judge Hale brought a singular 
combination of powei'S. His fine natural ability was admirably 
trained by various study and accomplishments. His mind 
was alert and accurate, his memory being a treasury of well 
ordered knowledge and his ability to speak and write clearly 



453 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

and forcibly was known and recognized at home and abroad. 
His political like his professional career was distinguished by 
that independence which is as rare as it is manly and lohich of 
if self is a puhlic influence of the highest character. 

Judge Hale died at his Elizabethtown home Dec. 13, 1881. 

Judjye Hale's only son, Harry, became a lawyer and for the 
past few years has been junior member of the firm of Hand 
& Hale. 

Frederick C. Hale, eldest son of Dr. Saflford Eddy Hale, 
after serving as a soldier in the Union army, studied law in 
Judge Robert S. Hale's office, was admitted to the bar in 1867 
and is now one of Chicago's well-known attorneys. 

Matthew Hale practiced law in Elizabethtown, served as 
State Senator, went to Albany and became one of the distin- 
guished lawyers of the State. 

Oliver Abel, born in Elizabethtown Nov. 11, 1830, was ad- 
mitted to the bar when about 23 years of age. In 1872 he 
was elected Esses County Treasurer, holding the office nine 
years in succession. He afterwards built the famous Westsido 
Hotel, Lake Placid. He died suddenly in 1892. 

Arod Kent Dudley was born in Keene in 1838. He studied 
law with Orlando Kellogg He served as District Attorney of 
Essex County from 1868 to 1876, inclusive, and again from 
1892 to 1897, inclusive, fifteen years in all, and also served as 
Essex County Surrrogate for a short time in 1895. He died 
in October, 1904 

Two of Mr. Dudley's sons, Fred W. and Robert B., are law- 
yers, the former practicing in Port Henry, the latter in Eliz- 
abethtown, occupying the office which the elder Dudley built 
over 30 years ago. 

Milo C. Perry, born in Elizabethtown village in 1844, was 
admitted to the bar in 1868. He was once associated with A. 
C. and R. L. Hand, the firm being Hand & Perry. Mr. Perry 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOVVN" 454 

served as District Attorney of Essex County from 1898 to 
1904, inclusive. 

W. Scott Brown, born in Elizabethtown, Januar}- 9, 1854, 
studied law with Arod K. Dudley, was admitted as an attor- 
ney in March, 1877, and as counselor in 1879. He has served 
ns Sup't of Adirondack Mountain-Reserve since the latter 80s. 

Franklin A. Rowe, now a prosperous Glens Falls, N. Y. 
lawyer, studied with Arod K. Dudley. 

DeWitt Stafford, now a well-known New York lawyer, stud- 
ied law in Judge Augustus C Hand's office, being admitted in 
1867, previous to which he had served as a soldier in the 
TJnion army. 

Sidney F. Rawson, a law partner of Mr. Stafford in New 
York, studied law with Judge Byron Pond and was admitted to 
the bar in 1867. He has served as District Attorney of Rich- 
mond County. Mr. Rawson served in Company E of the 118th 
Regiment, N. Y. Vols., during the civil war. 

George C. Markham studied law with Judge Robert S.Hale, 
being admitted in 1869. He is nov/ one of the best known 
and most prosperous lawyers in Milwaukee, Wis. Mr. Mark- 
ham married Rose Smith, a Boquet Valley lady, who died 
several years since. 

Francis Asbury Smith was born in East Salisbury, Massa- 
chusetts, November 29th, 1837, the second son of Reverend 
James G. Smith, for many years a Methodist Clergyman of the 
New Hampshire Conference. His father retired in 1846 on 
account of ill health, to a farm in Plymouth, New Hampshire, 
where the subject of this memoir resided until the age of sev- 
enteen. He prepared for college at the Plymouth Academy, 
and entered the Wesleyan University in 1855. He graduated 
in 1859, taught a select school in Canaan, New Hampshire, in 
1859 and 1860, and there commenced the study of law with 
Counselor Weeks. 



455 HISTORY OF EL12ABETHT0WN 

He came to the State of New York in 1860, taught a aelact 
school at Carmel, Putuam County, and continued the study of 
law and was admitted to practice in 1861 at Poughkeepsie, 
New York, and commenced practice in the summer of 1861 in 
the office of his relative, Hon. Horace E. Smith, at Johnstown, 
New York. 

Patriotism was too strong for ambition, and in October, 
1861, he enlisted as a private soldier at Albany, in the Third 
New York Volunteers, and served as a private and Corporal 
in Company F, of that regiment until July, 1862, during which 
time the regiment was stationed in Fort McHenry and Fort 
Federal Hill in Baltimore, under the command of General 
Dix. During the winter of 1861 and 1862, he was one of a 
detailed guard over government property on the boats plying 
between Baltimore and Fort Monroe. During this service he 
witnessed the fight between the Monitor and Merrimac. On 
the 18th day of July, 1862, he was commissioned as Second 
Lieutenant in the Third New York Volunteers by Governor 
Morgan, with rank from the 10th of May of that year. Shortly 
before that date the regiment had been ordered to Suffolk, 
Virginia, under the command of Major General Mansfield. In 
the autumn of the same year the regiment was transferred to 
Fortress Monroe, and ;;arrisoued that fort during the winter of 
1862-3, under General Dix. 

In the spring of 1863 the two-years men of the regiment 
were discharged, but the recruits who joined the regiment sub- 
sequent to its organization were held for three years service. 
This portion of the regiment was united with the three-years 
men of Hawkens's Zouaves, and subsequently until his dis- 
charge, Lieutenant Smith commanded Company F, but never 
mustered as Captain because the Company did not have the 
requisite number of men. 

On the 11th of April, 1863, he married Julia A. Scott, a 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 456 

<!auo-hter of Keverend Elihu Scott, late of Hampton, New 
Hampshire. Returning to his regiment shortly before the 
discharge of the two-jears men, he was stationed with it for a 
short time at Bowers Hill, near Portsmouth, Virginia. From 
thence he accompanied the regiment to Yorktowu, the White 
House and other points on the Peninsula, under General Dix, 
and in July of the same year the regiment was ordered to 
Folly Island, South Carolina, under General Gilmore, and did 
duty in the trenches on Morris Island in front of Fort Wagner, 
where there was some gunpowder burned on both sides. He 
was sent to General Hospital on Folly Island suffering from 
fever in the early autumn of 1863, and there lost track of him- 
self for several days. On his partial recovery he was given a 
sick leave, and reached his wife's residence in New Hampshire 
weighing ninety-eight pounds. On account of protracted ill- 
ness, he was honorably discharged from the service by Special 
Orders No. 603, dated 13th November, 1863, issued by Major 
General Q. A. Gilmore. 

During the winter of 1863-4, he with his wife remained at 
his father's residence in Plymouth, New Hampshire, and in 
the spring of 1864 went to Fonda, Montgomery County, New 
York, and opened a law office. 

During the second Lincoln canvass in 1864, he took some 
part as a "spell-binder," in the Counties of Montgomery, Scho- 
harie, Otsego and Fulton. 

In February, 1865, Mr. Smith formed a partnership with 
his wife's uncle, Hon. Robert S. Hale of Elizabethtown, which 
continued until the 1st of January, 1879. During this time 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith adopted as their daughter Louise Scott 
Smith, the infant daughter of Mrs. Smith's deceased sister. 

Mr. Smith was elected County Judge of Essex County in 
the fall of 1878, and re-elected without opposition and with 
the endorsement of the opposing party in the fall of 1884, re- 



457 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

tiring at the end of his second term on the Slat day of Decern" 
ber, 1890. He has since that time continued in the practice 
of law at Elizabethtovvn, with Patrick J. Finn during a por- 
tion of the time, and Frank B. Wicks of Ticonderoga during 
the remainder. 

Aside from those already named George W. Perry, Mal- 
colm Neil MacLaren, Jr., (the man who introduced modern 
base ball in Elizabethtown) Robert G. Shaw, George Henry 
Nicholson, George W. Patterson, Lawrence Flinn, Percival G. 
Ullman, Samuel B. Hamburger, Henry P. Gillilaud, 2d., and A. 
W. Boyntou studied law in Robert S. Hale's oflSce. 

John Emmes studied law with Orlando Kellogg. 

Orlando Kellogg, Jonathan Tarbell, William Higby, Hugh 
Evans, Jesse Gay, Robert S. Hale, Sewall Sargeaut, Melville A, 
Sheldou, James C. Rogers, Kleber D. Taggard, Frank A. Nay- 
lor, Scott G. Sayre, Charles H. MLenathan studied law in 
Judge Hand's office and since the latter's death, George W. 
Smith, John J. Ryan, Fred E. Frisbie, Charles A. Marvin, 
Augustus Noble Hand, Charles W. Morhous, Fred Higgins, 
James M. Singleton, LeRoy N. French, Roy Lockwood, Milo 
A. Durand, Arthur B. Smith, and Charles David Kennedy 
have studied law with Richard L. Hand. Milo A. Durand 
now represents the Right of Way Department of the American 
Telephone and Telegraph Company. 

Patrick J. Finn, Essex County's present District Attorney, 
and Frank B. Wickes studied law with Judge Francis A. 
Smith. 

Edward S. Cuyler practiced law in Elizabethtown after his 
service as Essex County Clerk. 

Martin F. Nicholson also practiced here as a contemporary 
of Mr. Cuyler. 

Elizabethtown village, never I suppose having a population 
of 600 souls, has furnished the following : 




o» 



\^ 






HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 460 

One Delegate to the Constitutional Convention, Matthew 
Hale; sis Members of Congress, Ezra C. Gross, Augustus C. 
Hand, Orlando Kellogg, Kobert 8. Hale, John Chipmau 
(from Michigan), William Higby (from California); one Judge 
of the Court of Appeals, Samuel Hand ; one Justice of the 
Supreme Court, A. C. Hand, who was also a Member of the 
Court of Errors, prior to 1847 ; one Judge of District Court in 
North Dakota, Charles A. Pollock ; one Regent of the Uni- 
versity, Robert S. Hale ; three State Senators, A. C. Hand, 
Matthew Hale and Rowland C. Kellogg ; one Member of As- 
sembly, Theodorus Ross ; one Presidential Elector, Robert 
S. Hale; five County Judges and Surrogate, John E. McVine, 
Robert, S. Hale, Byron Pond, Francis A Smith and Rowland 
C. Kellogg, and six Surrogates before the change in 1847, Ezra 
C. Gross, Ashley Pond, John Calkin, A. C. Hand, Orlando 
Kellogg and Robert W. Livingston, besides one Special 
County Judge and Surrogate in 1857, Martin F. Nicholson ; 
four District Attorneys, Byron Pond, Arod K. Dudley, Row- 
laud C. Kellogg and Milo C. Perry, and last but not least a 
President of the New York State Bar Association, Richard L. 
Hand. 

Is it any wonder that surrounding towns turn green with 
envy when such a long and distinguished list is surveyed? 
Again, has any country village of similar size in the Empire 
State or elsewhere furnished such a commanding list? 

Abijah Perry» 

Abijah Perry, son of Nathan Perry and Rebecca Brown, 
was born in Lewis, Essex County, N. Y., January 16, 1807. 
In 1814 he moved with his father to what is now locally and 
familiarly known as "Durand Farm," where the Perry family 
resided several years. It was from this farm that Nathan 



461 HISTORY OF ELIZABET[JTOWN 

Perry went to the Battle of Plattsburgh. Abijali Perr}' grew 
up among the pioneers, receiving only a common school edu- 
cation. September 6, 1832, he married Eliza Kellogg, only 
daughter of Rowland Kellogg, and sister of Congressma.n Or- 
lando Kellogg of Elizabethtown. Eight children were born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Perry : Ellen R., Mariette E., Lafayette, Byron 
A., Milo C, Evelyn 8., Louisa A. and Carolyn E. 

Ellen R. Perry married William H. Burbank, who was a 
clerk in the War Department daring the civil war and Mrs. 
Burbank passed some time in Washington, being there at the 
time of the assassination of President Lincoln. After the war 
Mr. Burbank was a merchant in Boston, Mass., but his health 
failing, he came to Elizabethtown, where he died March 10, 
1892. 

Byron A. Perry is one of Elizabethtown's merchants and 
Milo C. Perry is ex-District Attorney of Essex County. 

Miss Louisa A. Perry is Critic Teacher in the Model De- 
partment of the State Normal School at Plattsburgh. 

Mis8 Evelyn S. Perry died in January, 1903, and the other 
brother and sisters reside at tlie Perry homestead on the Plain 
in Elizabethtown village. 

Abijah Perry served as Constable, Justice of the Peace, Un- 
der Sheriff, Essex County Treasurer and Essex County Sheriff 
besides Superintendent of the State Arsenal. In all official 
capacities Mr. Perry honestly tried to do Ins duty regardless of 
fear or favor. He was a natural detective and woe unto the 
law breaker upon whose trail "Uncle Abijah" camped, as the 
faithful official never came home empty handed. In the days 
when there was no telegraph,no telephone or railroad Mr. Perry 
went through the woods like an Indian, guided by instinct, 
and it is safe to say that if he lived to-day he could give Pink- 
erton's force points. He was a large and powerfully built man 
and it is said that the descendants of the criminal classes of 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 462 

his day still tremble at the very mention of his name. Abijah 
Perry died at his Elizabethtown home September 20, 1882, 
and was buried in Riverside cemetery. 

Elijah Simonds. 

Originally the various hillsides of Elizabethtown were 
clothed to their summits with giant pines, hemlocks, spruces 
and the many varieties of hard and soft woods peculiar to 
this latitude, alike giving beauty to the landscape and afford- 
ing food and shelter for every kind of northern game. When 
the pioneers first came, here were wolves, panthers, bears, 
beavers, otters, small game too numerous to mention, and last 
but not least the noble moose, his choice of quarters being 
regulated by the change of seasons. Of course the pioneers 
and their sons learned to handle the muzzle loading rifle effec- 
tively. 

Elijah Simonds, the greatest hunter and trapper the Adiron- 
dacks ever produced, was a son of Erastus Simonds and was 
born on Simonds Hill February 10, 1821. Elijah Simonds had 
three elder brothers who were passionately fond of hunting, 
fishing and trapping and he took to the woods as naturally as 
a duck takes to water. When 6 years old he caught his first 
mink (in an old "wood trap") and at 8 years of age caught his 
first fox. At 10 he caught his first wolf and at 11 captured a 
bear. When 17 he went west, going by canal from Whitehall 
to Buffalo. He went from Buffalo by way of the Great Lakes 
to Spring Harbor, Mich. He trapped otter, etc., on the Kala- 
mazoo River, his ouly companions there being Indians. Re- 
turning east, he was commissioned Captain of a "Lumber 
Raft ou the Great Lakes." 

In 1840 he caught 8 otter on the Salmon River. In 1842 
his father died. This year he first visited Sarauac Lake, Tup- 



463 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

per Lake, etc., being accompanied by liis brother William and 
Alonzo McD. Finney. They went there to fish, catching a 
barrel of trout, four of which weighed 100 lbs. 

In 1843 Elijah went to Blue Mountain Lake, the forests 
around which were then in their thrifty prime, not having 
been disturbed by the hand of the white man. In 1850 he 
caught his first panther near Ampersand Pond. The second 
panther that fell a victim to his prowess was caught near 
Moose Pond. The last named panther had "kits," one of 
which, a spotted little fellow, was sent to Elijah's intimate 
friend, Spencer F. Baird, the great naturalist, and the speci- 
men is said to be still on exhibition in the Smithsonian Insti- 
tution at Washington, D. C. Elijah visited Michigan, Minne- 
sota, Wisconsin and Iowa in 1853 but shortly returned to 
Elizabethtown. He next went to the Boreas region and while 
hunting there shot and killed six deer without moving from 
his tracks. He hunted for the New York market several 
years. He once took 102 deer (saddles) to New York at one 
time, all having been killed by himself. 

In 1860 Elijah visited , Michigan again. This time he 
trapped in Michigan waters for beaver, catching 26. A few 
years later he went to Michigan for the last time, finding that 
the advancing wave of civilization had destroyed his old hunt- 
ing grounds. 

Soon after the close of the civil war Elijah married Miss 
Rosamond Gowett of Lewis, by which union two daughters, 
Mary and Nellie, were born. The last years of Elijah's life 
were peacefully and happilj' passed on his little place on the 
east side of Mt. Raven. Elijah differed from most hunters, as 
he was the beau ideal of the old time country gentleman, noth- 
ing in the nature of uncouthness being in his make up. A 
visitor to that happy home invariably found Elijah neatly 
dressed, his white starched shirt and collar being noticeable, 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 464 

as few old hunters don such habiliments even upon extraordi- 
nary occasions. His clean shaven face, high forehead and 
classical features generally impressed one as being unusual 
accompaniments of a man who had killed 3,000 foxes, 2,000 
deer, 150 bears, 12 wolves and 7 panthers and who had with- 
out doubt caught more mink, otter and marten than any other 
man who ever lived in the Adirondacks. 

Elijah died April 3, 1900, and was buried in Brainard's 
Forge cemetery, one of the most sincere mourners outside the 
Simonds family at the funeral being the author of Pleasant 
Valley, who had known the venerable hunter long and inti- 
mately. 

The Stock From Which the Bfov,'.is of Elizabethtown Descended. 

Thomas and Edmund Brown, brothers, came from Bury St. 
Edmunds, England, about the year 1638 and settled at Sud- 
bury, Mass., Edmund being the first preacher there. 

Thomas Brown with his wife Bridget, went to Concord, 
Mass., about 1681 and died there in 1688. On page 123 of the 
1st edition and on page 171 of the 2d edition of a book by 
George Madison Bodge of Leominster, Mass., called "Soldiers 
in King Philip's War" is given a list of men who were slain 
and wounded in Capt. Nath'l Davenport's Company. In the 
list of wounded, among 11 names, appears the name "Tho. 
Browne of Concord." Bodge refers to the Mass. Archives, 
Vol. 68, page 104. 

Thomas Brown's children were Boaz, Jabez, Mary, Eleazer, 
Thomas. Boaz Brown was born Feb. 14, 1642, and married 
Mary Winship Nov. 8, 1664. Their children were Boaz, 
Thomas, Mary, Edward, Mary, Mercy and Jane. Boaz Brown's 
second wife was Mrs. Abigail Wheat of Concord. 

Thomas Brown, son of Boaz, married Rachel Poulter. 
Their children were Rachel, Mary, John, Rachel, Jonathan, 



465 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTO^N 

Thomas, Haiiuah, iVbi^ail, Dinah, Thomas, Mercy aud Lyrlia, 

John Brown, son of Thomas Brown, married Elizabeth Pot- 
ter Feb. 23, 1715. Their children were John, Elizabeth, Grace, 
John, Hannah, Josiah, Joseph, Rebecca and Josiah, the latter 
born Jan. 30, 1743. 

Josiah Brown (b. 1743) married Sarah Wright Oct. 31, 1765. 
Their children were Josiah, Joseph Jonas, Sarah, Aaron, 
Amos, Abner, Rebecca, Levi, Nathan, Howard and Abigail, 
all born in New Ipswich, N. H. 

Josiah Brown, father of the 12 children named, was a Ser- 
geant in Thomas Heald's New Ipswich Company and marched 
from New Ipswich April 20, 1775, on the Alarm of the Battle 
at Concord, 13 days, also First Lieutenant in Captain Ezra 
Towne's 4th Company in Colonel James Reed's Regiment, 
New Hampshire troops, serving 2 months and 27 days from 
May 10, 1775. This regiment was engaged at Bunker Hill, 
where Captain Towne's Company, says history, "did sharp 
execuiion, being good marksmen and having the wind in their 
favor. They were the last Company to leave the field and 
Lieutenant Brown believed he fired the final shot before the 
retreat." 

Josiah Brown also served as Captain of a Company de- 
tached from Colonel Enoch Hale's Regiment, New Hampshire 
Militia, and marched to reinforce the Continental Army at Ti- 
conderoga May 6, 1777, aud June 29, 1777. Reference to Jo- 
siah Brown's service in the Revolutionary War may be found 
in New Hampshire State Papers, Volume XIV, pages 34, 88, 
Volume XV, pages 1, 20-22, 92-94. 

On page 20 of the Life of Nathan Brown one learns that 
Captain Josiah Brown's "resolute right hand wore the blue 
mitten once famous in New Ipswich town meetings. It be- 
came a common saying in regard to undecided voters, that 
'they always waited till they saw the blue mitten go up.' " 



HISTORY OF ELIZA BET HTOWN 466 

Nathan Brown, the Baptist Missionary to Tokio, Japan, and 
William Goldsmith Brown, author of the famous war lyrics 
"A Hundred Years to Come," "Eoanoke," "Before Petersburg," 
etc., were grandsons of Captain Josiah Brown. 

A century ago Captain Josiah Brown bought laud in what is 
now the town of Lewis, Essex County, N. Y., and there his 
son Deacon Levi and two of his daughters — Rebecca who 
married Nathan Perr}' and Abigail who married Deacon Asa 
Farns worth — settled. 

Deacon Levi Brown married Betsey Temple May 15, 1803. 
Their children were Eliza, Elewisa, Sally, Phebe, Betsey, Levi 
DeWitt and Benjamin. Deacon Levi Brown's military record 
has been touched upon in the chapter on War of 1812. Suf- 
fice to say that his son Levi DeWitt became Captain of an in- 
dependent Militia Company. Levi DeWitt Brown married 
Lovina Kueeland. Their children were Augusta Prudence, 
Friend Abner, John Kn.eelaud, Walter Scott and George 
Levi. 

Augusta Prudence Brown married Edward tT. Smith. She 
died at Fort Ann, N. Y., in 1877 and was buried there. A son, 
Edward Levi, and a daughter, Minnie A., live in Maryland. 

Friend Abner Brown married Hila E. Partridge and they 
occupy the Brown farm in the Boquet Valley. 

John Kneeland Brown married Lizzie N. James. They 
have one daughter, Mrs. Fred A. Marvin of Lewis. 

Walter Scott Brown, now Superintendent of the Adirondack 
Mountain-Beserve, married Mary L. Pond. They have one 
daughter, Mary Elizabeth. 

George Levi Brown married Edith Mary Durand. Their 
children are Edith Lovina, Analita Augusta and Thomas 
Augustus. 

All the children of Levi DeWitt Brown were born in Eliz- 
abethtown and brought up, largely, on a farm, being bred to 



467 HISTORY OF ELIZA RETHTOWN 

live religious, tempei-ate, industrious lives, both parents beiup^ 
Baptists. That the escutcheon of the Brown family has nev^r 
been tarnished by any act of her children and that not one of 
them has ever brought reproach to Ler fair name, a kind and 
loving mother can now say, in her old age, without fear of con- 
tradiction. 

Ore a^d Peat. 

Castaliue Bed was discovered and worked to some extent 
about 1800. The bed is situated on the Post farm. 

The Ross Bed is located on lot No. 72, Roaring BrookTract, 
and was discovered about 1800. 

Nigger Hill Bed, so-called, was discovered by Frederick 
Haasz about 1825. This property was sold by the Henry R. 
Noble heirs to Jay Cooke, etc., for $100,000. 

Wakefield Bed was discovered about 1845 and was opened 
by Col. E. F. Williams. This bed is on the Stephen B. Pitkin 
farm just south of New Russia. 

Little Pond Bed is on lot No. 199, Iron Ore Tract, and was 
also opened by Col. E. F. Williams in the 40s. 

Judd Bed was discovered about 1845 and opened by David 
Judd. 

Finney Bed was discovered in 1854 on lot No. 136, Iron Ore 
Tract. This bed was named after Anson Finney upon whose 
farm it was located. It was opened by Oliver Abel, Jr., Wil- 
liam Whitman Root, John E. McVine and John H. Sanders, 
the latter finally trading his interest and getting well off out 
of it. 

Gates Bed was discovered on the Gates farm in 1840. This 
bed was operated as late as the early 80s by H. A. Putnam. 

Steele Bed is located on lot No. 189, Iron Ore Tract. This 
bed was discovered in 1810 and named after Jonathan Steele. 

Mitchell Bed was discovered about 1830, being located on 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 470 

lot No. 116, Iron Ore Tract. It was opened by Eliab Mitchell, 
hence its name. 

Buck and Noble Beds are situated on lots No. 109 and 110, 
Iron Ore Tract, near the boundary line between Elizabethtown 
and Moriah, having been discovered about 40 years ago. 

Burt Bed was discovered about 1840, being in the extreme 
southeast corner of Elizabethtown. 

Practically all this ore deposit is as so much stone, not hav- 
ing been used for lo these many years. 

A large peat bed is situated on land owned by Richard L. 
Hand, just above the old Camp Ground. This bed was sur- 
veyed and ditched over half a century ago and is said to be 
the most valuable deposit of peat in Northern New Y ork. 

Saw^ Mills and Forges, 

The first saw-mills erected in Elizabethtown were un- 
doubtedly the one on the Boquet River at what is now New 
Russia and the one built by Stephen Roscoe at what is now 
known as Rice's Falls on the Branch or Little Boquet. The 
first saw-mill at New Russia stood on the east side of the Bo- 
quet and afterwards one was erected on the west side of the 
stream, in fact one is located there to-day, being operated by 
Julius Burres. 

Six saw-mills originally stood along the Black River. The 
upper one was known as the Kingdom saw-mill, just below 
which was one operated by Willis Gates, Sr. Next below 
Gates was the Douglass saw-mill and a short distance below 
Douglass was the Steele mill. At what is now Meigsville stood 
what old men still refer to as the Smith saw-mill and last on 
the Black River was the saw-mill at what has long been known 
as the Brainard's Forge settlement. 

The Eber Ober saw-mill was at Silver Cascade on the Barton 



471 HISTORY OF ELIZA BETHTOWN 

Brook and there Eber Ober is said to liave lost his life shortly 
after 1817. 

The Thompson saw-mill stood just across the road from 
the present residence of Nelson Shores. After the old saw- 
mill rotted down a new one was erected, which latter structure 
the writer remembers. James Edwin Thompson was the last 
operator of this mill. 

The Call saw-mill stood on the Ladd Brook, just above 
where the Separator afterward stood. 

The Robards Bice saw-mill stood just across the road from 
the old Deacon Harry Glidden farm house. The modern 
Deacon Glidden saw-mill stood on the site of the old Robards 
Rice mill. 

Lorenzo Rice built a saw-mill on Deep Hollow Brook just 
below The Balsams settlement of to-day but found the stream 
too small for successful operation, took the mill down and re- 
erected it on the Durand Brook at the falls just back of where 
Arthur Oauley lives in the Boquet Valley. 

Moses Swinton once had a saw mill on Big Sucker Brook 
which flows into Simonds Pond from the Moriah Mountain 
side. This saw-mill burned under circumstances which indi- 
cated a fire of incendiary origin. 

Jonathan Post for years operated a saw-mill on Roaring 
Brook, though but little trace of the old structure now re- 
mains. 

There was also a saw-mill at the Miller settlement on the 
road to Keene and one in the southwestern part of the town, 
known for many years as the Yaw mill. 

Whallon and Judd had a saw-mill which they operated at 
the Valley Forge settlement. 

The late Charles N. Williams built and operated two saw- 
mills, one on the Little Boquet, just below the Rice grist-mill, 
and one on the Boquet River just below Fisher Bridge, so 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 472 

called. The latter mill is now owned and operated by Living- 
ston Woodruff. 

The Lobdell Brothers have a new saw-mill which stands 
near where the Roscoe mill stood. 

Six forge sites are pointed out along the Black River. 
Highest up on the stream was The Kingdom forge built by- 
Frederick Haasz about 1825, the Nobles backing the venture 
and possessing the property a few years later. Next below 
The Kingdom forge stood the one known as the Hatch forge, 
(Hatch & Storrs) this being on the east side of the stream, in 
what is now Westport. Next below the Hatch forge stood 
the one built by Captain John Lobdell during the summer of 
1836, according to a contract in possession of his only sur- 
viving son, Jerome T. Lobdell. Barnabas Myrick was a "silent 
partner," furnishing capital while Captain John Lobdell did 
the work. The Lobdell forge stood on the west side of the 
stream, being on lot No. 5, Morgan's Patent. It was this forge 
that Guy Meigs and Elder Calvin Fisher operated after Cap- 
tain John Lobdell left Meigsville. A short distance below the 
Lobdell forge stood the one built b)'- Jonas Morgan. This was 
long known as the Southwell forge and stood on the west side 
of the stream. At the Brainard's settlement stood the Brain- 
ard forge and some distance below this was a forge built and 
operated by Joshua Daniels, father of Andrew J. Daniels of 
Wsstport. 

A man named Rich built a forge at what is now New Russia 
in 1802. H. A. Putnam afterw arda built a new forge at New 
Russia. Basil Bishop built his famous cold blast forge at 
Split Rock in 1825 and the Valley Forge was erected in 1846. 

A forge was erected in the Miller settlement about 1830. 

The Eddy forge and the forge operated by Deacon Levi 
Brown on the Little Boquet between the Rice grist-mill and 



473 HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 

the site of the old twin bridges were both in operation along 
in the early 30s. 

Jonathan Steele is also said to have had a forge in this town 
in pioneer days but where it was located I am unable to state. 
However, when one stops to speak of the number of forges 
once in operation here it seems to a member of the younger 
generation like a romantic story, as the last forge fire went 
out at New Russia over 20 years ago. Indeed, the passing 
away of the old forges, saw-mills, etc., not to speak of the mis- 
sing members of the human family, makes us all think with 
mingled feelings of pleasure and sadness of the "good old 
times." How many changes time has wrought and how many 
of us feel like saying : 

"And my heart stiil bends 

To my old, old friends, 

To the dear old friends of yore 

And I think with a sigh 

Of the days gone by 

And of friends who shall greet me no more." 

Errata and Addenda. 

The author begs pardon of the public for several typograph- 
ical errors that have "slipped through" in spite of him. 

It is about 100 miles from Esopus to Saratoga instead of 50 
miles, as implied on page 11. 

Jane Ann Kellogg, wife of Wm. Codman, died at St. Charles, 
Minn., instead of Winona, Minn., as stated on page 114. 

In listing Elizabethtown's soldiers at the Battle of Platts- 
burgh the name of Lt. Samuel Webster Felt, a pioneer of the 
Wadhams Mills section, was omitted. 

Judge Francis A. Smith informs me that, while he was 
made a Mason in 1861, he was not a member of Sisco Lodge, 
as is stated on page 406. 

Exception may be taken to listing Miss Shattuck and Mrs. 



HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN 474 

Blake, one and the same person, as two teachers on page 426. 
The fact is Mrs. Blake appeared before her pupils as Miss 
Shattuck and was so addressed by all for several weeks, al- 
though she had been married some time. Her husband was 
in college where there was a regulation against marrying dur- 
ing the course, hence the secrecy. 

Milo C. Perry served as District Attorney of Esses County 
from Jan. 1, 1898, to Jan. 1, 1904, not including the year 1904. 

The Bullard block, so-called, in Elizabethtown village, was 
destroyed by fire early on the morning of Jan. 24, 1895. The 
block built by Jacob H. Deming took the place of the one de- 
stroyed by fire, extending a little further west but not quite as 
far east as the old building. 

Squier Lee died at the home of his son, Squier John Lee, 
Bristol, Ind., May 12, 1905, since the printing of this book 
commenced. 

Daniel Cady Jackson died at his Delta, Col., home July 20, 
1905, in the 75th year of his age. 

Besides the cemeteries already mentioned in this book there 
is a cemetery in the old Miller settlement on the road to Keene, 
known as the Miller cemetery, and also an old cemetery on 
Simonds Hill, the latter being in a neglected condition. In 
the old cemetery on Simonds Hill some of Elizabethtown's 
bravest and best — a number of the old Simonds family — were 
buried and it seems too bad that that once beautiful "God's 
acre" should grow up into a forest again. Cannot something 
be done by those who survive the pale nations of the dead to 
preserve the sacredness of the spot where so many of our pio- 
neers were committed to the earth "dust to dust, ashes to 
ashes?" 



INDEX. 



PAfiES. 
A 

Abel, Azel 57, 60, 62, 64, 82, 83, 

94, 157, 243, 304, 331. 

" Oliver 60, 265, 266, 272, 

281, 297, 416. 

" Jr. 60 

" Leander 60 

" Mary 60 

" Henry 60 

" Adelaide V. 60 

" James 60 

" Benjamin 60 

" Cbarles 60, 61 

" Eunice 60 

^' Betsey 60 

" Lucretia 60 

" Alice E. 50,102 

xidams, Elisha A. 383, 386. 387 

Adams, 160, 383, 398 

Adirondack Lodge 406 

Adgate, Asa 72 

Allen, Jacob 321, 323 

Allen, Ethan 

Andrews, Abigail 96, 97 

Rev. Eber 96 

Reuben 97, 100, 101 

Archibald, John 306, 360, 386 

Arnold, Benedict 8 

B 

Bailev, Major William 103 

Barber, Hezekiah 74, 116, 117, 

121, 183, 191, 202 

Barber, Ernest 35 

Barber's Point, Settlement 11, 12 

Belton, George 4 

Burgoyue, Sir John 3 

Boquet, origin of name 3 

Bishop, 366, 370, 371 

Elijah 31, 36, 91 

Basil 91, 312, 371 

Bill, Patience 87 

Benson, 324 

Bench and Bar, 439-460 



PAGES . 

Blood, R. C. 45 

Bostwick, 74. 81, 103 

Breckinridge, Jonathan, 74, 83 

Braman, 111 

Brown, Levi D. 32, 42, 375, 392, 

403, 404, 406 

" Friend A. 42 

" Captain Josiah 87 

Deacon Levi270, 317, 365 

W. S. 290 

John, 381, 387, 392 

Buck, Walter 31 

Burchard's Revival 362,363 

Butler, John, 96 

C 

Call, 167, 170, 264, 265 

Calender, David 74 

Carleton, 8 

Cauley, Arthur 42 

Chislm, John 4 

Churches and Ministers, 431-439 

Clinton, Governor George 14 

Calkin, 112, 113, 273, 274, 417 

" Milo, Journal of 337-350 

Coll, James W. 193 

Comstock, 252, 307 

County Seat, 185-190, 197-202 

Counterfeit Money, 304, 305 

Churchill, Gen. Sylvester 385, 386 

Cooke, Jay 405 

Craig, Mrs. 4 

Cuyler, John Bleecker 53 

Stephen 72, 73 

Edward S 73 

" James 73 

Richard W. S. 73 

Cutting, Sewall Sylvester 297 

D 

Davis, Noah 32, 42 

Dart, Thomas 102 

Deming, Ira 47 

John J. 47 

Ada V. 47 



INDEX. 







PAGES. 


Deminj?, Marion C. 




47 


" Jennie L. 




47 


Horatio 30, 


32, 


336 


Willard 


32, 


336 


" Austin 




336 


Denton. 


35, 


337 


Deyoe, Jacob 


31; 


\ 37 


Downie, 




277 


Durand, Joseph 32, 


41, 


367 




' Francis J. 




41 




' Charles Emanue 


1 


41 




' Alexander 




42 




' Calvin 




42 




' Simeon 




42 




Milo 


42, 


380 




' Horace 




42 




' Betsey 




41 




Polly 




42 




' Sarah 




42 




' Lucy 




42 




' Myron 


42, 


372 




' Edgar M. 




42 




' Alonzo M. 




42 




Helen M. 




42 




' Almeron M. 




42 




' Albert A. 




42 




' AlembertJ. 




42 




Oliver H. 




42 




' Anderson K. 




42 




' Achsa A. 




42 




' Merari 




42 




' Charlotte 




42 




' Anna 




42 




' Mary 




42 


Dwyer, Samuel C. 


393, 


396 


E 






Elizabethtown Circulatin 


^ 




Library, 


417 


Elizabethtown and Lewis 




Telephone Co. 


418 


Elizabethtown High School, 


407 


Elizabethtown Post, 




382 


Eliz 


abethtown Water Co. 




416 



PAGES. 

Elizabethtown, organization 55-57 
Elizabethtown and Westport 

Plank Road Co. 375, 376 
Elizabethtown Village, 409 

Errata and Addenda, 467-470 
Essex County Agricultural 

Society, 380 
Essex Co., Organization of 67-71 
Essex Co. Goal Limits, 210, 211 
Essex Co. Times, 332, 333, 334, 
335, 336 

Essex Co. Times Subscribers, 336 
Essex Patriot, 304 

F 

Felt, Aaron 111 

Ferris, Noah 32, 33, 94, 111 

Finel, Ozro 352 

Egbert O. 353 

Finney, Heman 35, 36 

Joel 36 

Anson 36 

A. McD. 36, 372 

Fisher, Josiah 297 

Frisbee,Simeon 121, 183, 202, 211, 
223, 226, 232, 291, 302 
Elisha 202, 291 

•' Henry Clinton, 291, 292 
Captain Levi 282 

Freshets, 324, 325, 384, 385, 417 

G 

Garrison, Rev. Freeborn 53 

Gibbs, Jonas 32, 77 

Gilliland, Wm. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 
10, 12, 52, 53 
Henry P. 57 

Gilligan, B. F. 35 

Graves, 102, 292 

Goodrich, Charles 111 

Goszard, Mr. 26 

Gross, Ezra C. 40, 213, 297, 

304-306 
Emily P. 353 

Juliet 353 



INDEX. 



PAGES. 

Gross, Charlotte, 353 

H 

Hale, Robert S. 35, 371, 386 

" Matthew 385, 460 

" Safford Eddy, 366 

" Daniel 73 

Halstead, John 80 

" Piatt Rogers, 80 

Caroline Eliza 80 

Hamilton, Alexander, 117, 120 

Hanchett, Jonah 31 

Hatch, Charles 105, 110 

Hammond, 191 

Hand, 35. 326, 361, 380, 382 

Hascall, Elder 196 

Hendee, Edward 27 

Hiern, Roger Alden 72 

Hinckley, Thomas 74 

Holcomb, Benjamin 32, 36, 190 

Ansel 190, 274 

Holcomb, Almond 32 

Holt, Lodisa 47 

Hodskins, 195, 196 

Hoisington, James 36 

Hubbell. Julius C. 275,277 

Hull, Eli 102, 103, 104, 320 

Hurd, Zadock, 102, 103, 117, 

121, 183 

I 

Indians, 62-66 

Ingraham, Henry 284 

Iron Mountains Co. 408 

Izard, 265, 266, 320 

J 

Jackson, 327, 330 

Jacobs, Rev. Richard 53, 54 

Henry 417 

Jay, John 72, 73 

Jenks, Joseph 93, 94, 95, 117, 217 
Judd, Ithai 35 

Judd, David 35, 3B1, 408 

Jury List, 300 



K 

Kellogg, William 
" Rowland 

Amy 
" Orlando 
•' Eliza 
" Alonzo 
" Edwin 

Lafayette 
" Valentine 
" Orson 

Eldad 

Elijah 
" Josiah 



PAGES. 

32, 37, 40 

40, 41 

40 

40, 84 

40 

40 

40 

40 

114 

114 

115 

113 

113 

Kingdom Iron Company, 407 

King, Mrs. Richard 86, 87 

Kneeland, 365, 366 

Knox, 112, 285 

Knapp, Isaac 32, 183 

KnoultoD, Ruth 47, 83 

Brook 47, 83 

Henry 83 

L 

Lamb, Eliphalet 26 

LaMountaiu, Louis 37 

Lee, John 192 

" Squier 192 

Lewis, Morgan 26, 190 

Lewis, Nathan 32, 74 

Livingston, Lucy Jane 85 

Robert R. 120 

" W. 331, 332, 

334, 356. 

A. C. H. 372, 382 

Loveland, Enos 90, 111, 117, 121, 

191, 196, 197, 210, 

243, 285. 

Ralph A. 91 

Lobdell, Sylvanus 32, 43, 73, 81, 

111, 117, 121 

Simon 43 

John 43, 197, 210, 243 

272, 332, 365, 368, 



INDEX. 







rNDEX. 




INDEX. 


Lobdell, Jacob 






43 


N 




" Joshua 






43 


Newell, Ebenezer 73, 7-i 


, 81, 191 


Erastus 






44 




197, 210 


Levi 






44 


'' Norman 7 


3, 74, 81 


" James 






44 


" Pollaus A. 


157, 306 


" Nanc}' 






44 


Nichols, Reuben 


31 


" Caroline 






44 


Harry H. 


75 


" Rosamond 






44 


Nicholson, Norman 


101, 105 


Jerome T. 






44 




304, 306 


" Bouo^hton, 


43, 


243, 


285 


George S. 


105 


Lockwood, Leander 


J. 


306 


311 


John D. 


105 






325. 




Noble, Henry Harmon 


72, 254 


Luckev. Rev. Dr. 






54 


" Ransom 


254, 314 


M 








" Charles H. 297, 


404, 405 


MEicDonoucrb, 254, 


255, 


256, 


263 


Northwest Bay, 110, 


182, 183 


264, 


265, 


276 




Notes of the Settlement 


Matthews, Jacob, 






92 


of the Boquet Valley, 


25-34 


" Grandmother 




93 







Marvin, 


84, 


322, 


323 


O'Donnell, Thomas B. 


36, 37 


Marsh, 




291, 


302 


Oldruff, Charls C. 


77 


Maclane, Robert 






4 


Ore and Peat, 


467, 468 


Mattoou, George 






4 


Osgood,- 


286 


MacDouwal, Alexan 


der 




62 


Otis, William N. 


37 


Melson, George, 






4 


P 




McAuley, Robert 






4, 6 


Pangborn, Timothy 


102 


McNeil, David B. 






261 


" Joseph 


74 


Marks, 


305, 


306, 


380 


Partridge, Adolphus R. 


43 


Merritt, Cj^nthia 






47 


Mason H. 


43 


Meigs, 






380 


Winslow R. 


43 


Miller, 




286, 


287 


Parkman, Francis 


65, 66 


Mitchell, Alanson 




311, 


324 


Peck, Reuben 


42 


Wm. N. 






335 


Phelps, Hezekiah 


31 


Mooers, Benjamin 




257, 


267 


" George 


47 






281, 


282 


Brook 


47 


Morgan, Jonas, 




76, 


191 


Philips, Wendell, 


387, 392 


Morse, Dr. Alexand 


er. 


84, 


183 


Pierce, Alonzo 


47 








213 


Pleasant Valley 50, 51, 66, 67 


" Alpheus 






85 




74, 260 


" Percival 






85 


Payne, Benjamin 


102, 111 


Ralza 






85 


Betsey 


102 


" Alpheus A. 






85 


Pond, 282 


292, 307 


Mountains, Ponds & Streams 


,419 


Post, Dr. Asa, Letter oi 


25-34 


Murray, Miss Amel 


ia M 




384 


" " " 161, 197 


210, 213 



INDEX. 



INDEX. 

Post, Dr. Asa 243,285,293,304, 386 
Post, Jonathan, 32, 274, 312 

Perry, 292, 293, 377, 417, 460-462 
Person, 290 

Potter, John 74 

Postmasters, 421 

Physicians, 430, 431 

Q 

Queen Victoria's Maid of Honor, 

384 
R 

Ray, Wm. 205-252 
Raymond, Edward 

Reynolds, Gen. 102 

Elder 105, 287 

Reveille, 233, 235, 287, 290 

291, 302, 394 

Rice, Amos, 95 

" Solomon 100, 101 

" Truman, 101 

" Lorenzo, 101, 102 

Rice, Luke 31 

Richards, William 95 

" Mary Ann 95 

Rich, Elijah 74 

" Eliza 82 

Rogers, Robert 1, 2 

" Piatt, Field Notes, 

etc. 4-25, 51, 52, 55, 107 

" Ananias 107 

Roscoe, Stephen 44 

William E. 44 

" Azor 46 

" Simeon 46 

Friend M. 46 

Kaziah 46 

Phila 46 

Lucy 46 

Polly 46 

" James 46 

" Nancy 46 

Abbie 46 

Lois 46 



Roscoe, Ruth 
" James 
" Robertson J. 

Nelson J. 
" Charlotte, 

John B. 
■' Hudson 

Esther 

Mary 
Ross, 



INDEX. 

46 

47 

47 

47 

47 

47 

47 

50 

50 

Daniel 72, 73, 76 

Henry H. 72, 73 

William D. 73, 261, 263 

Theodoras. 74, 75, 76, 

117, 121, 290 

" Van Rensselaer 76 

'' Gansevoort 76 

Sarah Ann 76 

Royce, Caroline H. 52, 105, 182 

183, 257, 261 

S 

Saw-mills and Forges, 468-470 

Schools and Teachers, 421-430 

State Arsenal, 203-205 

Raid, 357, 360 

361, 362 

Sanders, John 31, 316, 317 

Schuyler, Gen. Philip 74, 120 
Shepherd, Catherine 4 

Sherman, John 42 

Jesse 42 

Sheldon, 115 

Skene, Major Philip 8, 117 

Simonds Hill, Historv of 161-181 
Elijah - 462-464 

Split Rock, 5 

Smith, Stewart 31 

Sampson 31 

Soper, John 84 

Southwell, Jacob 73, 77, 117, 197 
210, 304, 306, 372 
Soldiers, War of 1812 270-284 
Civil War 393-403 

Starch Factory 386, 389 



INDEX. 



PAOES. 



Stark, Col. John 87 

Steele, James W. 14 

Steamboat, lavention of 183, 184 
Stone, Jeremiah 303, 377 

Stow, Gardner 297 

Sutherland, Thomas 35 

T 
Tappan's Line 13 

Taylor, Thomas 102 

Temperance Society, 354, 356 
Tompkins, Daniel D. 203-251 
Toms, Isaac, 274, 281 

Turnpike, Great Northern 

122-196 
Turner, David 376, 377 

V 
Van Rensselaer, Elizabeth. 74 

"Sweet Kitty "75 

W 
Wadhams, Gen. Luman 83 

Edgar Prindle, 83 



War of 1812, 
Watson, Winslow C. 
Walbridge, Ebenezer 
Walworth, Major 
Weed, Patience 
Westport, 
Whitcomb, P. S. & Co. 

Williams, Charles N. 

E. F. 
Wise, Gov. Henry A. 
Wood, Robert H. 
Charles M. 
Woodruff, Rog^er Hooker 
Wood Alcohol Factory, 
Wright, Daniel 87, 90, 
257, 261, 262, 
266, 270, 276, 
Wyman, 316, 

Y 
Yaw, Elisha 



PAGES. 

244-284 

52, 80 

191 

281 

41 

293-295 

373, 374 

376, 380 

61, 313 

306, 370 

387 

72 

418 

83, 84 

415 

250, 254 

263, 264 

282, 310 

317, 371 

336 




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